The premier, Panyaza Lesufi wants a committee of inquiry to investigate the root cause of the fire in Johannesburg which, at last count, claimed the lives of 74 residents. Picture: Timothy Bernard / African news Agency (ANA)
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has set up a committee of inquiry to investigate the devastating fire in Johannesburg CBD.
Lesufi said he will work closely with Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola in establishing the committee.
The premier said the province has over the last few years experienced a number of incidents and they wanted to respond quicker to these cases.
He said they were working with all spheres of government to respond to disasters.
“In this regard, I intend to institute a Committee of Inquiry to investigate this deadly inferno, working with the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola. The inquiry will investigate the prevalence of hijacked buildings in the city, who must take responsibility and allow us to get to the real cause of the incident," said Lesufi.
“The province has received a tremendous amount of local and international support, for which the premier has expressed his gratitude. We also appreciate the generous offer to release support to our province by the Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde,” a statement from his office said.
Political parties have blamed the City of Johannesburg for failing to act, but former mayor Herman Mashaba and current Speaker in the council, Collen Makhubele have blamed NGOs for blocking them in trying to remove people in hijacked buildings.
They said their hands were tied because NGOs go to court to force a halt on efforts to evict people from these buildings for their own safety.
siyabonga.mkhwanazi@inl.co.za
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