A recent report has shed light on the tragic building fire that claimed the lives of 76 individuals in South Africa last year. The investigation revealed that city authorities should be held accountable as they were aware of significant safety concerns at the dilapidated apartment block at least four years prior to the devastating blaze.
The fire, which occurred on August 31 in downtown Johannesburg, resulted in one of South Africa's most severe disasters. Among the deceased were at least 12 children, while 86 others sustained injuries, with some resorting to jumping out of windows to escape the flames. Heart-wrenching accounts emerged of individuals tossing small children out of windows in hopes of their rescue.
Tragically, many victims were unable to escape the overcrowded building and were burned beyond recognition. It took authorities weeks to identify the bodies using DNA tests due to the extent of the damage.
The inquiry, led by retired Judge Sisi Khampepe, found that the City of Johannesburg, which owned the building, displayed a 'total disregard' for its perilous condition. The investigation uncovered that hundreds of people were residing illegally in the building, some in makeshift shacks set up in corridors, bathrooms, and even the basement intended for parking.
Furthermore, emergency services discovered that fire extinguishers had been removed from walls, and the main fire escape was locked on the night of the fire. The presence of waste inside the building, combined with the wooden shacks, exacerbated the deadliness of the blaze.
Despite a prior raid in 2019 that exposed the dire living conditions in the building, no substantial action was taken to rectify the situation. Judge Khampepe recommended disciplinary measures against the CEO of the Johannesburg Property Company and advocated for the demolition of the building, proposing a memorial plaque be erected in honor of the victims.
This tragic incident underscored the decay in parts of Johannesburg, where numerous buildings have been illegally occupied by landlords who exploit desperate individuals seeking shelter. Safety regulations are often ignored in these overcrowded spaces.
In a shocking turn of events during the inquiry, a man confessed to starting the fire to dispose of a body at the behest of a drug dealer. The individual was subsequently arrested and charged with 76 counts of murder and arson.
