A recent investigation into a building fire that claimed 76 lives in South Africa found city authorities culpable for neglecting safety concerns dating back four years before the incident. The blaze, which engulfed a five-story building in downtown Johannesburg on August 31, marked one of South Africa’s deadliest disasters, with casualties including at least 12 children and 86 injured individuals. Reports revealed harrowing accounts of people resorting to desperate measures to escape the flames, including tossing children from windows.
Retired Judge Sisi Khampepe, leading the inquiry, condemned the City of Johannesburg for its “total disregard” regarding the building’s dire condition. The investigation uncovered unlawful residency within the building, with makeshift dwellings erected in corridors and bathrooms. Fire safety measures were found lacking, with extinguishers removed and the primary fire escape locked on the night of the tragedy. The accumulation of waste and makeshift structures intensified the blaze’s severity.
Previous inspections in 2019 by city officials highlighted distressing living conditions, yet little action was taken. Judge Khampepe recommended disciplinary measures against the Johannesburg Property Company’s CEO and advocated for the building’s demolition, proposing a memorial plaque in honor of the victims.
The incident exposed broader issues of urban neglect in Johannesburg, where illegal landlords exploit housing needs, leading to overcrowding and safety oversights in many buildings. In a stunning twist during the inquiry, a resident confessed to igniting the fire to dispose of a murder victim, leading to his arrest on charges of murder and arson.