Johannesburg – The DA will raise over R150 000 in relief donations for those whose shacks burnt down in Cleveland, east of Johannesburg, the party said on Saturday.

“The reality of devastating fires is all too common for people who live in settlements like Cleveland,” Democratic Alliance Gauteng premier candidate Mmusi Maimane said in a statement.

“These people, who on a daily basis struggle to get ahead, are left to face the dangers of fire, with little protection from the government.”

New building materials and clothing would be donated to those affected by the fire.

Over 100 shacks were gutted by a fire at the Jumpers informal settlement in Cleveland on Thursday. Between 200 and 300 people were displaced.

Maimane visited the area on Saturday.

He said he was running for Gauteng premier because he believed he could change the state of affairs in the province.

“I believe we can create hundreds of thousands of jobs that can give people an opportunity to improve their living circumstances.”

“I pledge to improve emergency service response time. And I pledge to improve material support for those affected by fires,” said Maimane.

SAPA