An investigation into a fire that killed 77 people in Johannesburg last year has blamed authorities’ negligence for allowing a building to become a den of guns, murder, drugs and combustible waste , and for failing to evacuate him once it was clear he was a danger.
Last October, South Africa launched an investigation into the August 31 fire in its commercial hub.
The fire highlighted gangs who take over abandoned public buildings to rent them illegally. Many victims were burned so badly that they had to be identified through DNA testing.
“No case sufficiently demonstrates the consequences of non-compliance with the obligations that the law imposes on a municipality (than)… the disaster (of the fire),” the report states.
The City of Johannesburg spokesperson didn’t respond to a comment request. However, judges noted the city’s acknowledgment of non-compliance in the full report.
She said, however, that she should not be held responsible since the building’s decline had been facilitated by “the illegal behavior of residents, the threats made… against its officials and the misappropriation of the building.”
In Johannesburg, extreme wealth disparities are evident, with affluent areas juxtaposed against impoverished informal settlements. The city’s inequality is starkly visible.
Panyaza Lesufi, premier of Guateng, the province that includes Johannesburg, promised to quickly implement the report’s recommendations.
“If there’s one thing that gives me sleepless nights, it’s the state of Johannesburg (central),” he told a news conference.
“It’s an indictment against all of us.”
Moreover, authorities must prioritize investment in infrastructure and resources to enhance resilience against future disasters. Additionally, South Africa Fire Inquiry calls for robust oversight mechanisms and public engagement to hold officials accountable and rebuild trust in government institutions.
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