But How Safe is it Really?
CCN Reporting
Cape Town:- Just four months after a devastating fire gutted a double-storey council rental block in Koraal Court, the building has been refurbished and handed back to residents.
Where charred walls and collapsed interiors once stood, the block now shows off fresh paint, new windows and a polished front door. Councillor Donovan Nelson hailed the project as a victory for swift service delivery and the restoration of dignity to the affected families.
“I was on site from day one, and I am proud that we acted quickly. This shows we care for our residents,” he said.
But behind the apparent success, serious questions are being asked by community members and on social media: Can a double-storey structure that suffered such severe fire damage really be declared safe again after only four months of repairs?
Local residents are demanding clarity on several key issues:
- Were the foundations and load-bearing walls independently inspected by structural engineers after the fire?
- Has all electrical wiring, plumbing and internal systems been fully replaced, rather than patched up?
- What new fire-safety measures have been added to prevent a repeat of the disaster?
One nearby resident, who asked not to be named, said: “It looks beautiful from the outside, but we all saw how badly it burned. Before families move back in, we need proof that it’s safe inside too. A fresh coat of paint doesn’t make us feel secure.”
While City officials insist the refurbishment was carried out to regulation standards, no independent engineering report has yet been made public.
The speed of the rebuild has therefore sparked mixed feelings: hope for the families who once again have a roof over their heads, but also distrust that safety may have been compromised for the sake of fast delivery.
For many in the community, one critical question remains unanswered: Is Koraal Court truly safe, or just freshly painted walls hiding lingering risks?
Picture – sosial media