A deadly building fire in South Africa that killed 76 people, including 12 children, has been the subject of a recent report that found city authorities were aware of safety issues for years. The fire occurred in a rundown apartment block in downtown Johannesburg on August 31, and injured 86 people, some of whom had to jump out of windows to escape the flames. The building was overcrowded with hundreds of people living there illegally, in makeshift shacks among piles of waste, making the fire particularly deadly. Many victims were burned beyond recognition, and it took authorities weeks to identify bodies using DNA tests.
Retired Judge Sisi Khampepe led the inquiry into the tragic fire, and concluded that the City of Johannesburg, which owned the building, showed “total disregard” for its unsafe conditions. The building was found to have its fire extinguishers removed from the walls, and the main fire escape was locked on the night of the fire. In addition to the unsanitary and overcrowded living conditions, the presence of wooden shacks within the building contributed to the severity of the blaze. City officials, national immigration officers, and police had previously raided the building in 2019 and observed the unsafe living conditions that later led to the tragedy. Khampepe recommended disciplinary action against the CEO of the Johannesburg Property Company overseeing the city’s buildings, and called for the building to be demolished as a memorial to the victims.
The aftermath of the Johannesburg building fire highlighted the decay and neglect existing in parts of South Africa’s largest city, where many buildings have been “hijacked” by illegal landlords renting out space to desperate residents. Overcrowding and disregard for safety regulations are common in these illegally occupied buildings, leading to increased risks in the event of fires or other emergencies. The tragic incident brought to light the urgent need for improved safety measures and enforcement of building codes in communities where vulnerable residents are subjected to such hazardous living conditions.
During the inquiry, a shocking revelation came to light when a man scheduled to testify confessed to starting the fire to burn the body of a man he had allegedly killed on the orders of a drug dealer. This unexpected turn of events resulted in the man’s arrest and charges of 76 counts of murder and arson, adding another layer of complexity and tragedy to the already devastating incident. The confession further underscored the lawlessness and danger that permeate communities struggling with crime, drugs, and poverty, exacerbating the challenges faced by residents living in unsafe buildings.
The report emphasized the culpability of city authorities in the deadly building fire, citing their awareness of the safety hazards present in the building years before the tragedy occurred. The failure to address these issues, such as missing fire extinguishers and locked fire escapes, demonstrated a lack of oversight and accountability on the part of municipal officials responsible for ensuring the safety of residents. The recommendations for disciplinary action and the demolition of the building underscored the need for concrete steps to prevent similar disasters in the future and to honor the memory of those who lost their lives in the tragic fire. Improved regulation, enforcement, and support for vulnerable populations are essential to preventing such devastating events from reoccurring in South Africa and elsewhere.
