Report Reveals City of Johannesburg’s Negligence in Fatal Building Fire: Calls for Justice and Accountability

A report has determined that the City of Johannesburg and its entities are responsible for the deaths of 76 individuals in a building fire last August.

Led by retired Judge Sisi Khampepe, the report stated that the City of Joburg displayed “complete disregard” for the building’s condition. Khampepe advised taking disciplinary action against the CEO of the Johannesburg Property Company, demolishing the building, and installing a plaque in memory of the victims, including children.

Furthermore, the investigation uncovered a disturbing incident in January, where a man confessed to setting the fire to dispose of a body he had murdered under instructions from a drug dealer. This tragedy shed light on the housing crisis and the issue of illegal landlords leasing space to vulnerable individuals.