ONE of the survivors of the fire that engulfed Usindiso Shelter, a hijacked building in Marshalltown, Joburg in August 2023, painted a very graphic picture of the morning of the tragic incident.
The woman took the stand to testify during the Usindiso Commission of Inquiry headed by retired judge Sisi Khampepe that is currently in progress in Parktown, Joburg.
The survivor's testimony unfolded despite the recusal of Advocate Thulani Makhubela as a commissioner.
Makhubela withdrew due to past "xenophobic slurs" he had shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, in support of the vigilante group Operation Dudula.
In her testimony the woman recalled how the fire had moved from the lowed floor until the higher levels demolishing the building.
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In her harrowing account, the woman recounted how the fire had rapidly spread from the lower floors to the higher levels, ultimately demolishing the entire building. As people attempted to flee, she recalled witnessing individuals trapped, with some resorting to covering the ground with mattresses to provide a safer landing for victims.
“After I had managed to escape the burning fire, I looked up and saw people trapped on the other side, an open space where we used to hang our washing.
During her escape, she said she remembered hearing a voice of a man in his late 20s or mid 20’s calling for help as he was trapped in a room but could not save him as it seemed that the door had been long locked.
Previously in the inquiry, former firefighter and CEO of Private Fire Brigade, Wynand Engelbrecht, highlighted loopholes in the rescue operation when a fire broke out at Usindiso Shelter fire that claimed the lives of 76 people, injuring several others and leaving many homeless.
Engelbrecht said that the operation and rescue were compromised because of limited equipment and delayed time of response.
The inquiry is set to resume in Parktown.
