By: Natasha Archary
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep sadness at the loss of life due to the tragic JHB CBD fire, which claimed the lives of 74 people on Thursday morning, 31 August.
Ramaphosa put on hold his address to the nation on developments at the BRICS Summit to visit the scene of the tragedy in Marshalltown on Thursday evening.
Joined by City of Joburg Mayor, Kabelo Gwamanda and Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, the President extended his condolences to the families of the victims.
Speaking to media, Ramaphosa said he hopes the investigations into the fire will enable communities and authorities to prevent a repeat of such a tragedy, or bring to book any culpable parties.
“In 10-minutes, after the call came through, firefighters were on scene to battle the devastating fire.
The sad part is that despite the quick reaction time by emergency services, and the City, they weren’t able to save everyone.
They were able to save 49 people, but the sad reality is that we have lost the lives of 74 people, some of them children.
This is unprecedented, Johannesburg has never had an incident of this magnitude, where so many people died as a result of a fire.”
Ramaphosa says an investigation into the fire will need to be conducted, and the issue of housing in the inner city will need to be addressed.
The President said the building that was engulfed in flames was once a refuge for abused women and children, which was hijacked after the lease was terminated, and the building was abandoned.
Meanwhile, the DA says City of Joburg failed to clamp down on illegally occupied buildings.
