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Three lives have now been lost to the fire that devastated the Foreman Road settlement in the early hours of Sunday morning leaving more than a thousand people homeless. On Monday the Municipality promised to provide the people who had been left homeless after with fire with building materials. They promised that the building materials would be provided on Thursday, which is today.

The building materials have not be provided and the Mayor has decided not to come and address the people.

Once again all we have received from the government is lies and contempt. The people have decided to take to the streets. A protest is currently underway.

The government needs to answer to the people. Proper emergency support must be provided to all those who lost their homes and possessions in the fire. Immediate steps must be taken to address the oppressive conditions that result in shack fires including the unequal distribution of urban land and unequal access to services and housing.

Our dignity is not negotiable. The struggle continues.

Issued by Abahlali Basemjondolo