An inquiry into a deadly fire in Johannesburg last August that killed 76 people and exposed a housing crisis in South Africa’s largest city has placed the blame on officials who ignored “ringing alarm bells” for years.
The eight-month inquiry, led by a retired constitutional court justice, released its findings in a report on Sunday. The report highlighted years of inaction by city agencies that allowed a building to fall into lethal disrepair, ultimately leading to one of the deadliest residential fires in South Africa’s recent history.
In the early hours of Aug. 31, a fire tore through a derelict building in downtown Johannesburg. Once a women’s shelter, the building had been all but abandoned by city agencies, despite being owned by the government and managed by the Johannesburg Property Company, a government agency. Approximately 600 people in need of affordable housing were squatting in the five-story building, creating a dangerous situation that culminated in tragedy.
While a resident later confessed to setting the fire, the report found that city officials were aware of the dire conditions within the building and allowed it to become a fire hazard. The building, formerly known as the Usindiso women’s shelter, had been taken over by criminal organizations who collected rent from residents.
The structure lacked municipal electricity and running water, leading residents to create makeshift solutions such as using fire hoses to collect water and setting up illegal electricity connections. The building was filled with partitions made of wood, cardboard, and cloth, and trash piled up around the premises. Despite the known risks, law enforcement presence in the area was virtually nonexistent.
City officials had been aware of these hazardous conditions for at least four years, the report revealed. While the building was raided in 2019 and marked for demolition, no further action was taken, allowing squatters to return in greater numbers.
The report also criticized the city’s response time to the fire, noting that the first fire trucks arrived 11 minutes after the emergency call, with more arriving 19 minutes later. Witnesses during the inquiry highlighted the insufficient resources of the city’s fire department to respond effectively to emergencies.
While the city of Johannesburg did not start the fire, the report emphasized that it bore some responsibility for the tragic loss of lives. The commission recommended disciplinary action against officials in charge of housing, sanitation, electricity, and water agencies, as well as calling for action against the chief executive of the Johannesburg Property Company for neglecting the building’s management.
In the aftermath of the fire, survivors remain homeless, with many moving into similarly derelict buildings around the city. The commission recommended the demolition of the building where the fire occurred and the erection of a commemorative plaque in honor of the lives lost.
The report serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting housing issues and the importance of holding officials accountable for ensuring the safety of residents in South Africa’s largest city.
