Gauteng Health Dept says it's not responsible for delays in identifying Marshalltown fire victims
The Gauteng Health Department has shed light on the reasons behind the slow process to identify the victims of the Marshalltown fire.
A view of emergency services in the Johannesburg CBD attending to the Marshalltown building fire, which claimed the lives of 77 people. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng Health Department has shed light on the reasons behind the slow process to identify the victims of the Marshalltown fire.
In August last year, 77 people died in a fire at the hijacked Usindiso Building.
A month later, Premier Panyaza Lesufi established a commission of inquiry into the tragedy.
While the probe continues, delays in the process of identifying all the victims has sparked public outrage.
Health spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba, explained the reasons for the delay.
"The Gauteng Forensic Pathology Services, which falls under the Gauteng Department of Health, is not responsible for the DNA processing and analysis in this case. This is the competency and responsibility of the South African Police Service under the Forensic Science Laboratory."