South African National Parks (SANParks) has accommodated the Farleigh community in private establishments since the devastating fires of October 2018. This included provision of daily meals and support for those affected.
Houses that were only partially damaged by the fire have been repaired by SANParks allowing some staff members to return to the staff accommodation. Of the 172 people affected by the fire, 120 have moved back into houses. In total, 13 houses were gutted in Rooikraal, Farleigh. As a medium term solution, the remaining 52 people will be relocated from the private establishment where they were being housed, and will be moved to temporary mobile park homes that have been set up in Farleigh.
SANParks want to ensure continued support for this community, and ongoing engagements with local authorities will continue, in order to reach a long term solution that will suit both the community and the relevant authorities. Residents were informed today that the park homes will be available for a period of six months, while SANParks engages with local authorities ‘to provide’ alternative housing options to providing alternative housing options to settle community members into, in accordance with their legal mandate.
Pic: Temporary Park homes