More than 208 shacks were destroyed at Masinenge informal settlement on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, with government officials promising to speed up the delivery of building materials.
KZN Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said the cause of the fire was not yet known.
He said he had engaged with Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane and Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality Mayor Zodwa Mzindle following the incident.
Duma also warned residents and motorists about the dangers posed by dry, windy and hot conditions, which can cause fires to spread rapidly.
“Residents must therefore be extra careful when starting fires,” Duma said.
He urged motorists approaching uncontrolled fires along major routes not to attempt to drive through them, but to stop to avoid colliding with stationary vehicles.
Duma said a team led by the KZN Human Settlements Department head Max Mbili was working with the national department to speed up the delivery of building materials to affected residents.
He said discussions with the mayor had also emphasised the need to accelerate the profiling of victims to ensure that legitimate residents affected by the fire were prioritised.
Duma said Masinenge had experienced recurring fires, prompting previous government interventions.
As part of the Masinenge Slums Clearance Housing Project, the government had provided building materials as a temporary measure while more than 882 permanent houses were being constructed, he said.
According to Duma, more than 586 residents had been relocated to newly built double-storey homes.
He added that the government had recently handed over house keys and more than 399 title deeds to residents, alongside Deputy Human Settlements Minister Tandi Mahambehlala.
Duma cautioned residents against renting out their houses and returning to the informal settlement, saying the area remained vulnerable to fires and natural disasters, including floods.