Midrand apartment fire victims abandon legal action as they're in SA illegally
In September, a blaze swept through the Boardwalk Urban Village complex, killing a young mother and leaving more than 100 families without shelter.
The fire-damaged Broadwalk Urban Village complex in Midrand on 25 September 2024. Picture: Kgomotso Modise/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - Displaced residents of Broadwalk Urban Village in Midrand say they will not pursue legal action after a devastating fire left them homeless.
They fear arrest because they are undocumented.
In September, a blaze swept through the complex, killing a young mother and leaving more than 100 families without shelter.
Months later, promises of alternative housing from the City of Johannesburg remain unfulfilled.
Residents said the fire was worsened by the lack of safety measures, including extinguishers and sprinklers, failures confirmed by Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS).
Initially, they planned a class-action lawsuit against the property owners but abandoned it, fearing their undocumented status could lead to arrest.
Community leader, Dominic said they have no choice but to leave it to a higher power.
“Also, we are not from here, you understand? So… maybe if you decide to take them to court, it will come out (that we do not have the right papers) with a lot of issues – so that is why we decided to leave everything to God.”
For now, the displaced families face an uncertain future.
MIDRAND COMPLEX RESDIENTS GET R5,000 COMPENSATION
The survivors of the Midrand complex fire say they were only given R5,000 and left to fend for themselves.
While the City of Joburg initially promised relocation, nearly three months later, many remain without shelter.
Dominic added the support was not enough.
"Nothing was given to anyone -- the only thing they gave us was the deposit refund (R5,000) - that I think was given to everyone but outside of that a lot of the people got nothing. If they did receive something, it was donations from churches and other organisations."
For many, the future remains bleak, with no relief in sight.
CITY OF JOBURG AWAITS REPORT ON DESTRUCTIVE FIRE
Joburg Emergency Management Services and city officials launched a probe into the cause of the fire, but it’s unclear whether the report has been completed or shared with police, property owners or residents.
The City of Joburg’s mayoral spokesperson, Chris Vond, says the report should be ready.
“If the city made the commitment (to rehouse the residents), it would have completed the process by now. Long time ago. I am sure there is a report around that investigation – about the landlord.”
To date, no resident has been rehoused, many have not received their deposits, and no arrests have been made.