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Survivors and locals walk past the Usindiso building after the blaze on August 2023.
The Socio-Economic Rights Institute (Seri) says Johannesburg authorities should immediately provide services to those who occupy buildings in the city.
Seri says this is in accordance with the recommendations of the Usindiso Commission of Inquiry.
In its report, the commission says extreme poverty and a lack of affordable housing are major contributors to the fire in which 77 people were killed in the Usindiso building in August 2023.
Last week, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi released the commission’s final report, which also highlights dangerous and deteriorating housing conditions in the city.
The institute’s Research and Advocacy Director Lauren Royston says, “Another important recommendation that we want to highlight is how the commission recognises and indeed have evidence from many building residence who have formed committees in the buildings who should be consulted in the process of implementation, budget allocation needs to increase, temporal emergency alternatives accommodation needs to be provided and more affordable housing for the people who are living in the inner city.”
Arson suspect
The 31-year-old man accused of starting the fire at the hijacked Usindiso building in Johannesburg CBD is expected to be back in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in Ekurhuleni on Monday morning.
Sithembiso Mdlalose used to live in the building, allegedly confessed to starting the fire. However, he later retracted the confession, saying he was coerced into making it.
Mdlalose is facing charges including murder, attempted murder and arson.
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-Additional reporting by Tshepo Phagane.
