Zoning process under way, but residents stay
In reaction to the report on the deadly fire in Mountainview, Jamestown, Stellenbosch municipal spokesperson, Stuart Grobbelaar said they received the emergency call at 00h56 on Tuesday morning.
“We dispatched five fire fighting vehicles and 8 firefighters to the scene and they arrived there within 10 minutes.
“One adult male and one adult female were declarded dead on the scene. Minimal damage was caused to surrounding dwellings. The cause of the fire is still being investigated and it was put out at about 02h00,“ Grobbelaar said in a statement.
In the statement he said the municipality decided in 2008 to make a part of the property where the dwellings are available for housing in accordance to the Spatial Development Framework, due to the urgent need for housing in the area.
“The first phase was earmarked and zoned for formal housing and accommodates 162 houses. The sections known as phase 2 and 3 in Mountainview/Jamestown is currently in a rezoning process. The proposed rezoning was advertised for public comment and participation. Various comments were recieved, which are at the moment being considered by the planning department. Inputs from the public are scrutinized and comments will be made when it serves at the municipal planning tribunal,” Grobbelaar concluded.