Usindiso building fire: Survivors and civil rights groups say justice is yet to be served

JOHANNESBURG - Two years after the devastating fire at the Usindiso building in Johannesburg, which claimed the lives of 76 people, survivors and civil rights groups say justice is yet to be served.

The abandoned building -owned by the City of Johannesburg was being illegally occupied at the time, mostly by undocumented foreign nationals.

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Following the tragedy in 2023, a commission of inquiry led by retired Justice Sisi Khampepe found that the City of Johannesburg was liable.

The report stated the fire could have been prevented or at least mitigatedif the city had met its legal responsibilities as the building’s owner.

On Sunday, the Usindiso community forum and the Marshalltown fire justice campaign held a memorial to honour the victims and renew calls for accountability.

Campaign coordinator Mametlwe Sebei said they are demanding justice, citing that two years have passed since the incident with no prosecutions made.

"The survivors need to rebuild their lives. The families of those who perished need to be compensated for the loss of their loved ones as well as in particular, the loss of their breadwinners, and every form of loss and damage that resulted from the fire."