The 26th of October 2024 marks a year since the Khampepe Commission of Inquiry into the Usindiso fire tragedy, which claimed the lives of 76 people including 12 children, leaving many more injured and destitute. The Usindiso Building, which had become derelict, was owned by the City of Johannesburg (the City), and managed by Johannesburg Property Company (JPC). Part 1 of the Khampepe Commission found that the building was abandoned by the City and JPC at least since 2019 and that the City and its entities, including the JPC, must bear partial responsibility and/or accountability for the tragedy and that the consequences of the fire would have been mitigated had the City complied with its legal obligations as owner and municipality.
The Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) has written an open letter to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi on the anniversary of the Commission's first sitting to call for justice for the victims and survivors of the fire at the Usindso building. The letter calls upon the Premier to:
- Acknowledge the commencement of the work of the Commission a year ago today;
- Communicate with the public about what has been done about its recommendations; and
- Respond to our open letter in writing, informing us about the progress on the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations.
The open letter urges the Honourable Premier to stand behind the recommendations of the Khampepe Commission, and to ensure that the lives lost in that fire were not lost in vain. The letter also calls on the Honourable Premier to end the silence that surrounds this tragedy, and to take the decisive action recommended in Part I to safeguard the lives of those still living in dangerous conditions.
- Access the full open letter here.