MEC for Social Development in the Western Cape, Albert Fritz, has confirmed that the department is providing relief to a Woodstock family, whose home was guttered by a fire on Monday night. Charmain Sollons and her family were left destitute by a blaze that ripped through their apartment, and which claimed the life of her 2 month old foster daughter, burnt beyond recognition. The incident has left the entire family traumatised.

Little Amara Jones’ was buried by Islamic rites on Thursday, after autopsy tests were conducted this week. The cause of death is yet to be confirmed.

However, social workers from the department are now looking into the situation, as Amara and her 5 year old brother were not placed into Sollons’ care by a court of law. But her friend, Azeezah Salie, disputed this, saying the biological mother, who is a drug addict, wilfully left her children with Sollons.

This will be the first point of an investigation as the law states that a child must be placed in foster care legally, if there is no blood relation.

“But as the department we will be looking at how we can assist Miss Sollons in finding alternative accommodation, for her and her children which are in her custody,” said MEC Fritz.

The department are already assisting her in her search for accommodation but it is only temporary.

“The department is not in charge of housing and can therefore not just allocate houses, but the department has access to shelters and accommodation for those in need,” explained MEC Fritz.

Azeezah Salie, who is also helping Sollons, said department officials have aided the family with some much needed goods such as food parcels, clothes, blankets and mattresses. VOC (Imogen Vollenhoven)