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The Democratic Alliance in the North West extends its heartfelt condolences to the Sisimogang family who recently lost six of their members in a house fire in Ganyesa.

Three children as well as their mother, grandfather and an infant lost their lives.

Each year, especially during the winter season, our province experiences an increase in fires and because of the high density in informal settlements it usually results in an increase in deaths.

The DA believes that tragedies like these can be avoided if people have access to proper housing and basic services such as electricity. The roads to informal settlements should also be accessible to ambulances and firefighters to assist in emergencies speedily.

We urge residents be more vigilant when it comes to flammable materials. We also call upon Premier Supra Mahumapelo to roll out a program that will educate people on how to combat shack fires and to create more awareness on this.

Where the DA governs we have Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP) community fire-fighters in areas that fire trucks find difficult to access, and we also supply fire-proof paint to informal dwellings at risk. DA governments also re-block informal settlements to make them more easily accessible to emergency services and to reduce the risk of fires spreading.

These initiatives also help to create job opportunities, and should be considered in the North West.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and community during this difficult time of bereavement.

Issued by DA North West