The Democratic Alliance is saddened by the devastating fire in which 118 residents’ shacks and temporary shelters were burnt down. It is a miracle that nobody died.
The displaced people are currently temporarily housed in the Maruleng community hall.
Members of the Hoedspruit community, councillors and officials are collecting food and essentials for those who have lost everything.
During a well-attended stakeholder meeting on 9 November 2025, the various options to provide housing within the legal limits and practical constraints were discussed; it was decided that an elected committee will investigate the various sites.
It is clear that most of the people from Plastic View are there for economic opportunities and lack of alternative accommodation.
Informal settlements are mushrooming in our municipalities and the DA’s tabled amendments in Parliament to the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land 19 of 1998 (PIE) will, if passed, allow for the eviction and criminalisation of people in informal settlements as municipalities, like Maruleng, are forced to divert budgets to contain illegal settlements.
The DA is calling on the municipality to expedite the process of finding suitable serviced land for the former residents of Plastic View who legally qualify for housing and strictly regulate this process.