Municipal PRO, Freddy Kaukungua, said yesterday council was still looking at various ideas to address problems at the squatter camp. Money is always a problem. She said the babies were constantly sick with diarrhoea and nausea. Residents had to dig their own toilets, while the only running water available was from communal taps, which for some families were more than 100 metres away from their homes. They also have no electricity.
Many people rely on candles for light at night, which poses a fire risk.
Kheimses said it was the third fire this year in which a family had lost everything. She cited a positive development at the 'DRC' as the establishment of a mobile Police unit with a 24-hour patrolling service.