South Africa: President Cyril Ramaphosa cancelled a planned address to the nation on Wednesday night to visit the Johannesburg (JHB) fire scene that claimed 74 lives, including 12 children.
The deadly fire ripped through a five-storey building in the inner JHB city, home mainly to immigrants and the homeless.
JHB fire: ‘Wake-up call for us’
Ramaphosa was warmly welcomed by people and emergency workers still on the scene. During his walkabout to survey the fire damage, the president said investigations into the blaze’s cause needed to be quick.
“I was talking to Premier [Panyanza Lesufi] earlier, and they are setting up an investigation, which the Premier and city will announce. We have to get to the bottom of this.”
Ramaphosa admitted the fire was a “wake-up call” for the government to address the housing problem in the inner city.
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The building used to house abused women and children but was “hijacked” after the lease expired.
When the fire started, residents were locked inside because the only entry and exit door was bolted shut, as a standard practice to protect them from criminal activity and spot police raids.
“The ministers and the MECs from the province and the city are working now full out to make sure that those who need assistance from accommodation to trauma counselling to hospitalisation are being looked after,” Ramaphosa said.
Meanwhile, the Gauteng government said family members could visit the local mortuary on Friday to identify their loved ones.
“Currently, there are 74 deceased bodies (12 of which are of children) being processed at the Gauteng Forensic Pathology Service (FPS) mortuary in Diepkloof. These bodies include 40 males, 24 females and ten who are
undetermined as they have been burned beyond recognition,” said the Gauteng Health Department in a statement.
On Thursday night, Ramaphosa was meant to address the nation about the 15th BRICS Summit outcomes and allegations that South Africa had supplied weapons to Russia via the Lady R that docked in Simonstown last December.
PICTURES: President Cyril Ramaphosa at the JHB fire aftermath
