Three years later still no findings on Bank of Lisbon fire where three firemen died
12 August 2021
Three years after the fire that started at the head office of the Gauteng Health Department and cost the lives of three firemen, none of the four investigations have been made public.
According to a written reply by Gauteng Premier David Makhura to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature, his office “is coordinating with all agencies to ensure that all investigations are completed by the end of September 2021.”
The four investigations into the fire that occurred on 5 September are being done by the SA Police Service, City of Johannesburg, the Provincial Government and the Department of Labour.
Makhura says that the different investigations are at various stages and are being subjected to legal advice. He promises that at the end of September 2021 he will give a consolidated report of all investigations that will outline the detailed outcomes and recommended action in each area.
I am sceptical that this deadline will be met as previous promises to make findings public in this matter have not happened despite the pleas of trade unions and the families of those who died.
Immediately after the fire I laid criminal charges of culpable homicide against then Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa and Infrastructure Development MEC Jacob Mamabolo for negligence in not setting up a functioning Occupational Health and Safety Committee for the building, and for ignoring multiple warnings from unions and staff about the fire hazard.
Makhura also needs to take accountability for this fire and the many other scandals in his administration, including the Life Esidimeni tragedy and the fire at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital.
It is unfortunate that long investigations allow politicians to evade accountability and add to the suffering of the victims.
I will continue to press Makhura to ensure that all the investigation reports are made public soon and that recommendations are fully implemented, including criminal charges where warranted.
Issued by Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, 12 August 2021
