Almost a month after the devastating inferno destroyed properties and left animals without grazing land at Stones Hill, north east of Grahamstown, families and farmers in the area told Grocott's Mail that they haven't heard a word from the government.
Despite the existence of at least one government department to assist victims of natural disasters, no action has been taken to assist Stones Hill residents affected by the fire that started 17 July and carried on for days.
Almost a month after the devastating inferno destroyed properties and left animals without grazing land at Stones Hill, north east of Grahamstown, families and farmers in the area told Grocott's Mail that they haven't heard a word from the government.
Despite the existence of at least one government department to assist victims of natural disasters, no action has been taken to assist Stones Hill residents affected by the fire that started 17 July and carried on for days.
Meanwhile Makana municipality spokesperson Yoliswa Ramokolo said help was on the way for all those who lost things in the fire. Ramokolo told Grocott's Mail Thursday 7 August that Trevor Quphe, the head of the municipality's Disaster Management, has concluded an assessment of the area and has determined the amount of funds needed for implementation of a disaster management strategy.
Ramokolo said the assessment was carried out by the municipality and several provincial departments, including the Department of Agriculture and Department of Public Works.
"We are aware of other families that we couldn't reach at the time of the assessment but we will follow up on them," Ramokolo said. Ramokolo expressed gratitude to the Local and Provincial Traffic Service, Cacadu District municipality, Ndlambe municipality and Makana for assisting with traffic during the fire.
In a statement to Grocotts Mail, Makana Municipality expressed apologies to the families who lost belongings during the runaway fire.
Andre and Suzanne Wille, who lost their home and their accommodation business A Stone's Throw, were helped by Grahamstown residents and businesses. The couple and their two children, aged 13 and 17, and four dogs were forced to live separately after the fire, Suzanne Wille told Grocott's Mail. She also revealed that two of her four guests, who were at work at the time of the inferno, lost their luggage in the fire.
She thanked the friends, relatives, neighbours and local businesses that came to their assistance.
"We would like to thank our friends the Rippons for accommodating us, Kingwood College for accommodating our children, Pick n Pay for food vouchers and Wimpy for meals and Carara for free food as well", Suzanne said, adding thanks to Daphne Timm for "heroic efforts".
They have been reunited with the four dogs, which were kept at the SPCA.
Stones Hills resident Dominic Thorburne expressed his frustration about the disaster, in which he lost his outbuildings and garage housing five motorcycles with a combined value close to R1 million, in a letter published last week in Grocott's Mail.
A passage from the letter reads, "the endemic malaise in the City Hall is noted by the lack of response or a visit from our Ward councillor and those responsible for disaster management".
But where was the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), which runs a Social Relief of Distress (SRD) programme that reputedly provides assistance within 48 hours? The SRD is paid in cash, vouchers, food parcels and in non-monetary terms. Under the programme, victims of natural disasters like floods or fire can get things like mattresses, blankets, school uniforms for children, etc.
In his letter to Grocott's, Thorbun expressed dismay over the fact there was no warnings or evacuation calls made to residents and no one appeared in charge during the fire. He said the Mountain Drive commonage lacks any fire control management, and serviced fire breaks, that may well have stopped the spread of the fire to residential areas.
"Accountability is required and liability issues are presently being investigated," he wrote. "I believe that with correct preventative fire control and disaster management by Makana Municipality these extensive losses could have been avoided."
