The building in which 74 people died as a result of a fire belongs to the City of Johannesburg but was “invaded and hijacked” some years ago.
This is according to City of Johannesburg city manager Floyd Brink who was addressing the media on Thursday afternoon.
“I wish to…confirm that the affected building belongs to the City of Johannesburg. It is a building that was previously leased to the provincial Social Development Department and used as a shelter for abused women. At the conclusion of the lease, some challenges were encountered with the occupants and as a result of the hostilities and stalemate, the building was invaded and hijacked.
“In October 2019, the City through its Group Forensics and Investigation Services raided the building and as section of the operation realised the arrest of over 140 foreign nationals by Home Affairs and a suspect was incarcerated and charged for illegally collecting rental from tenants at the building. The case is with SAPS and no update is immediately available at this stage,” Brink said.
The 74 people confirmed to believe died in the blaze include 24 females, 40 males and 10 with undetermined gender because they were burnt beyond recognition. Of these, 12 are children.
The city manager told the media briefing that the city is working to wrestle back control of hijacked buildings in the area.
“Let me at this stage express our condolences to the families of the deceased and hasten to add that all efforts are being keep in space to provide the families and all affected with the relevant social and psychological support through the City’s Disaster Management and Social Development department.
“Our Social Development Department has deployed 16 social workers to provide assessment, trauma counselling and psychosocial support.
“As earlier stated, this is a tragic event and incident and one that is unprecedented given the number of lives lost. We will finish our best to ensure that we act diligently in investigating the fire and equally, in our pursuit to reclaim hijacked and illegally occupied buildings in the city,” Brink said.
Survivors
More than 50 people gain been injured with many others displaced and Brink said three emergency accommodation sites gain been identified for survivors and those affected.
These sites are:
- Hofland Recreation Centre in Bez Valley
- Ekhaya shelter in Hillbrow
- Impilo shelter in Fairview / Jeppestown
“After 72 hours the Human Settlements Department will advise on where they will be taken to once all logistics and related verifications believe been finalised. At this stage, we believe a total of 200 or more families were residents at the building.
“At this stage, Fire Safety has commenced with investigations into the cause of the fire and has been portion of the rescue operation from the morning. There is at this stage no preliminary reports.
“As the City we appreciate the assistance that we believe received thus far and we continue to coordinate all efforts via the Joint Operations Centre of the City in response to this disaster,” Brink said.
The K9 unit of the South African Police Service is expected to be deployed to inspect the building to find any additional bodies or body parts.
The call centre numbers for assistance about missing family members are:
- 0800 203 886
- 011 355 3048
- 011 241 5707 – SAnews.gov.za
Irish Dze
Why’d the blonde math major only apply to colleges in South Africa? She wanted to attend a party school where she couldn’t fail at integrating.
Twinkle
So Van is in a bar in London with a Frenchman and an Italian. They are boasting of their sexual prowess.
The Frenchman says \”When I pleasure my mistress, I tickle her nipples with a feather, and she floats an inch above the bed in bliss\”.
The Italian, not to be outdone, says \”When I make love to my girlfriend, I lick amaretto liqueur from her navel. She floats a foot above the bed in delight\”.
Van says \”Ya, well, er… When I screw my wife, I wipe my dick on the curtains afterwards, and let me tell you man, she hits the fuckin\’ roof!\”