The women and children staying on the first floor dormitory of the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children in Manenberg were hastily evacuated when a fire broke out there this morning [May 11].
“The City’s Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to the fire at the shelter for vulnerable women and children, in Klipfontein Road, just after 7am and fire crews from Epping, Gugulethu and Ottery responded,” said City Fire and Rescue service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse.
“A seven-months pregnant woman was treated for shortness of breath and taken to a nearby hospital but no other injuries were reported.”
The fire was extinguished at 8.53am, the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
The Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children (SBCWC ) is a one-stop centre for women and children who are survivors of abuse. The Centre’s vision is the creation of a safe and secure society and a human rights culture where women and children are empowered to exercise their full rights.
As the organisation is a non-profit, it often relies on donations from the public to remain afloat. If you are able to donate, please use the following details to do so:
Bank Transfer (EFT)
Bank name: First National Bank
Branch: Rondebosch
Branch code: 201509
Branch address: Fountain Centre, Main Road, Rondebosch 7700
Account holder: The Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children
Type of account: Current account
Account number: 62028179415
SWIFT Code: FIRNZAJJ