Ulundi, 12 July 2026 – The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), is coordinating interim relief together with social partners for all the affected residents following a severe fire at the Jika Joe Informal Settlement on the evening of 11 July 2026.
Msunduzi Fire and Rescue Services successfully contained and extinguished the blaze last night. The cause remains under investigation.
On-site assessments indicate that an estimated 427 households were impacted, with 294 assessment forms already administered. Four individuals sustained injuries requiring hospital treatment, while one person is currently believed to be missing.
This disaster underscores the high risk of informal settlement fires during the provincial winter season.
Dropping temperatures lead to an increased reliance on open-flame heating, which combined with highly combustible structures and strong winter winds poses a severe hazard to vulnerable communities.
KZN CoGTA MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has commended the swift response from the disaster management teams, and extended his sympathies to the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the affected individuals currently in hospital.
A thorough assessment is being conducted in the search for the missing person.
“KZN Cogta alongside our social partners and the Msunduzi Municipality, is ensuring that comprehensive interim relief reaches all affected households. This tragedy highlights the critical need for vigilance. We urge communities to exercise extreme caution with open flames during these cold months.”
Assessment teams remain on-site to coordinate ongoing assistance.
