The City of Cape Town has confirmed that more than 2,600* people were displaced, following the devastating fire in Dunoon Site 5 on Friday, 9 January 2026. 632 structures were destroyed.
The City’s Solid Waste Department moved in today (Monday) to remove debris from the fire site, while their Water and Sanitation counterparts are working to restore damaged infrastructure. Eskom was on site over the weekend to repair damaged electricity infrastructure.
The City yesterday reported that residents were preventing efforts to re-block Site 5, which would help reduce the severity of fires in future. Smile FM spoke to some residents on Monday morning who said that they don’t want the site to be re-blocked, as they fear they might lose their plots.
Some residents had already started rebuilding their shacks over the weekend.
Gift of the Givers is continuing to provide humanitarian relief, and the City says once the list of affected persons has been finalised, this will be submitted to SASSA to facilitate additional relief.
Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell has thanked those organisations and members of the public who have responded to the call for donations.
Donation drop-off points are still active on a 24-hour basis at the following fire stations:
- Goodwood
- Roeland Street
- Lakeside
- Constantia
- Hout Bay
- Strand
- Wynberg
- Milnerton
Contributions of non-perishable foodstuffs, personal hygiene items (soap, toothpaste, face cloths, sanitary towels), nappies and baby formula, as well as blankets/bedding are welcome.
*This article was updated to reflect the final tally of persons displaced
