Inquiry Launched into Deadly Johannesburg Fire, Expert to Determine Responsibility
CA Global news – A retired Constitutional Court judge has been appointed to lead an official inquiry into the devastating fire that engulfed a derelict building in downtown Johannesburg last week, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 76 people. The South African government announced on Tuesday that Justice Sisi Khampepe will head a three-member panel tasked with establishing who should be held accountable for this horrific incident. The investigation will also address the prevalence of illegally occupied run-down buildings in the area.
The fire broke out in a city-owned building that had effectively been abandoned by authorities and taken over by unofficial landlords who illegally rented out space to approximately 200 impoverished families desperately seeking accommodation. Makeshift shacks and other informal structures were crammed into the five-story building, including the basement parking garage, which significantly contributed to the high death toll as individuals struggled to escape the flames. Witnesses reported that some people resorted to jumping out of windows from three or four stories above the ground in a desperate bid for survival.
Tragic Fire Kills 73 in Johannesburg’s Informal Settlement, South Africa
This tragedy has shed light on Johannesburg’s ongoing problem with dilapidated buildings that operate outside the jurisdiction of city authorities. The police commissioner for Gauteng province, which includes the city, revealed that there are currently around 700 such buildings in Johannesburg city center alone, posing a serious threat to those residing within them. In response, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has stressed the need for urgent intervention to prevent further disasters like the Marshalltown fire from occurring. He highlighted the need for comprehensive measures to address the growing crisis of stolen buildings in Johannesburg.
The commission of inquiry, overseen by Justice Sisi Khampepe, will present its findings to Premier Lesufi, who appointed the panel. The investigation aims to hold accountable those responsible for the tragedy and pave the way for necessary reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Among the victims of the devastating fire, at least 12 were children, with an additional 88 individuals sustaining injuries. Countless families have been left homeless as a result of this catastrophic event. Many of the deceased were foreign nationals from countries such as Malawi and Tanzania. Authorities are currently seeking assistance in identifying the bodies held at Johannesburg mortuaries, as over 60 victims were burned beyond recognition and will require DNA analysis for accurate identification. Families have been given a 30-day period to claim the bodies of their loved ones.
