The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) is coordinating emergency relief efforts after a fire tore through the Jika Joe Informal Settlement in Pietermaritzburg, leaving an estimated 427 households affected, four people injured and one person believed to be missing.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), is coordinating interim relief with social partners following a devastating fire at the Jika Joe Informal Settlement on Saturday evening.
The blaze, which broke out on 11 July 2026, was successfully contained and extinguished by Msunduzi Fire and Rescue Services. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Preliminary assessments indicate that about 427 households were affected. Disaster teams have so far completed 294 assessment forms to determine the immediate needs of residents.
Four people were injured in the fire and required hospital treatment, while one person is believed to be missing. Authorities said a thorough assessment and search operation is under way.
