CoCT to declare Masiphumelele disaster area after thousands displaced by fire While no one was injured or killed, more than 1,000 homes were destroyed, and most residents lost their possessions. Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato on 18 December 2020 visited Masiphumelele after a massive fire raged through part of the informal settlement on 17 December 2020 leaving more than 1,000 homes destroyed. Picture: Kevin Brandt/EWN 105 days ago Plato on Friday signed the papers necessary to the provincial government to gazette it, which would free up resources to help thousands of residents who lost everything. While no one was injured or killed, more than 1,000 homes were destroyed, and most residents lost their possessions. Fire officials were investigating the cause of the fire.