The City of Cape Town says while it is ready to proceed with the urgent reblocking of Dunoon’s Site 5 informal settlement following a devastating fire on Friday, 9 January, contractors are being prevented from carrying out this work by residents.

Reblocking essentially involves the realignment of structures in an informal settlement to enable basic services to be delivered, and can also result in reduced fire risk and more usable communal spaces.

Some residents have already started rebuilding with salvaged materials rather than waiting for formal assistance.

The City’s MMC for Human Settlements, Carl Pophaim, says R12 million has been made available for the site to be reblocked, and contractors are on standby, ready to begin work immediately.

He says key City services are on-site and are ready to go, but they have noted the rejection by the affected community for that reblocking intervention.

“It is important to place on record that the City is ready to respond. The necessary budget has been identified, contractors are on standby, and essential services are on site and ready to begin work immediately.”

Pophaim has emphasised that the City’s ability to act is slowed by the absence of the directive required to enable an emergency housing response from the National Minister of Human Settlements. This policy gap is creating delays at a time when residents urgently need assistance.

City officials have now been instructed to step aside temporarily to avoid further conflict.

“We are not withdrawing from the area. We are ready to work with residents, community leadership and other spheres of government to find a way forward, which restores safe and dignified housing as quickly as possible.”

Pophaim has called on the national government to provide the necessary clarity on policy to enable emergency interventions.

“Our residents deserve a response which matches the urgency of this disaster.”