No festivities for Havelock residents affected by devastating shack fire
One of the residents from Durban's Havelock informal settlement affected by a recent fire says there will be no Christmas for him and his family.
The blaze razed dozens of dwellings to the ground on Thursday.
Thembelani Ntuli says he and his parents have been living at the settlement for over two decades.
READ: PMB shack fire leaves 164 homeless
He says the flames consumed everything they had within seconds.
"We have given up. Nobody is going home for the holidays. We have to rebuild and stay here to look after our stuff. For us, as community leaders, there is no way that we can take a holiday because we have to cook and take care of each and everybody that is here because people have lost a lot," he said.
Ntuli says they have been able to start rebuilding their homes thanks to residents from the neighbouring Greenwood Park locals and disaster management officials who have rallied around them.
"Disaster management came by, and they provided us with building material, that is what we are busy with right now. We are rebuilding our homes. Thanks to a local businessman who has provided women and children with shelter, but for us men, we had to stay on-site to look after the material and food that has been donated us by our neighbours," he said.
READ: Jika Joe informal settlement fire victims uncertain of future
There have been no reported injuries or deaths from the fire.
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