IFP Gauteng statement on Johannesburg inner city fire

31 August 2023

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Gauteng expresses its shock and conveys its heartfelt condolences to the families of the more than 70 people who lost their lives in a fire at a five-storey apartment building in Marshalltown, in central Johannesburg, in the early hours of 31 August.

While the root cause of the fire is still being investigated, it is confirmed to have left dozens of people injured. Moreover, it is heart-breaking to note that the death toll from this tragic incident continues to rise.

The IFP maintains that this latest incident points to the City of Johannesburg’s failure to properly accommodate the urban poor. Moreover, it speaks to the City’s inability to curb the hijacking of buildings within the inner city.

The dire situation where many people remain desperate and need habitable human settlements, often leads to them resorting to living within hijacked buildings in the inner city. With proper care, the situation could be wholly averted. The City needs to do the right thing and provide decent and affordable housing within the City.

The IFP Gauteng wishes to extend its condolences to the affected families and implores the City to do better.

Issued by Bonginkosi W Dhlamini, IFP Gauteng Provincial Chairperson, 31 August 2023