Durban – A blazing fire swept through the “Jika Joe” informal settlement on Women’s Day, destroying at least 700 makeshift houses.
Ironically, most of the displaced residents were women.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said some 500 people were now without shelter.
“On Women’s Day, the majority of residents of Jika Joe informal settlements, mainly females, are homeless following a raging fire that destroyed approximately 700 shacks,” MEC Duma said on Sunday, 9 August 2026.
“We salute the Umsunduzi Municipality Disaster Management team for their swift response as guided by the Mayor Mzi Thebolla and the council.”
The MEC also expressed “deepest appreciation” to the South African Police Service, Shoprite, Red Cross, Gift of the Givers, and City Hope.
“Importantly, the Deputy Mayor Cllr Mxolisi Mkhize has been with residents as part of speeding up the profiling of the affected victims,” stated MEC Duma.
“By 13:00, more than 400 individuals had already been profiled.
“Our main focus is to ensure that we bring on board the departments of Home Affairs, Social Development, and other relevant state agencies.
“Critically, I am liaising with the Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane, who has offered to set aside time to visit KwaZulu-Natal this week.”
She will be accompanied by the UN-Habitat Director, who will inaugurate the UN-Habitat Country Office.
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