A blaze in Kayamandi is said to have claimed the life of a child and left many others without a home.

The humanitarian organisation, Gift of the Givers, says it was called to the scene of a fire in the Zone O Informal Settlement in the area on Monday morning.

Spokesperson, Ali Sablay, claims a child died in the blaze and that the child’s grandmother is in critical condition in the hospital.

Western Cape police spokesperson, Wesley Twigg, confirmed that Stellenbosch police have registered an inquest for investigation following the fire on Saturday night, 21 June 2025, at about 22:00.

Twigg said that the fire claimed the life of an eight-year-old child.

“The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation and the cause of the fire is yet to be determined,” he said.

Sablay says 125 have been displaced, after more than 40 structures burned down. Gift of the Givers returned to Kayamandi on Tuesday to aid the residents.

“This tragedy comes as the Western Cape braces for a new cold front expected to hit from Wednesday. Gift of the Givers teams remain on high alert and ready to respond to further emergencies in the coming days,” said Sablay.

Authorities are appealing to the public for assistance. Anyone with any information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS to report anonymously.

Emergency relief efforts are underway to provide shelter, food, and basic necessities to those affected.

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This article has been updated with additional information.