THE death toll following a fire at the Joburg CBD building on Thursday, 31 August, has risen to 73.
The ravaged Usindiso is a five-storey building at the corner of Albert and Delvers streets. The building had been hijacked with rental shacks inside.
The building, owned by the City of Joburg, is leased to the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa, a non-profit human rights organisation.
Joburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda confirmed that alternative accommodation is being provided to house residents in such buildings. Speaking about those who hijacked buildings, Gauteng Human Settlements MEC Lebogang Maile said they prey on vulnerable people.
"Some of these buildings are in the hands of the cartels who collect rentals from individuals which makes a point that some of these people can afford to pay there.
"The government must create a stock for affordable rentals to house these people," Maile said.
The NGO leasing the building is still nowhere to be found, but Maile has called on them to come forward and discuss the matter instead of insisting on taking them to court.
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When the fire broke out, residents struggled to get out of the building as one gate was closed.
A 44-year-old woman is still looking for her sister, who is said to have lived in the same building.
She is among many others looking for their family members.
The Joburg Emergency Management spokesman, Robert Mulaudzi, said they are still searching for more bodies as they have not made their way through the entire building.
The MMC for Public Safety in Joburg, Mgcini Tshwaku, condemned the site of the buildings as a danger hazard and the existence of these buildings.
He said efforts to move residents in such areas have commenced as they have also approached Joshco (Johannesburg Social Housing Company SOC Limited).
The City of Joburg's Transport MMC Kenny Kunene once addressed the issue of hijacked buildings in May 2023.
Fast forward to four months later, the issue persists.
Kunene, who was also at the sight of the fire, said hijacked buildings continue to be at the heart of the social ills in Joburg.
He said these buildings are unsafe and pose a health hazard as there is dumping in the area.
