Commission of Inquiry into Usindiso Building disaster begins

The Commission of Inquiry into the Marshalltown fire and hijacked buildings will begin its proceedings from Thursday, October 26 in Parktown

Led by Chairperson, Justice Sisi Khampepe, the Commission will be investigating and processing all information and evidence concerning the circumstances surrounding the death of at least 77 people and a dozen more others injured and homeless at the Usindiso building situated at the corner of Albert and Delvers Streets in Marshalltown on 31 August 2023.

Following the tragic incident, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, announced the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry into the Marshalltown fire and hijacked buildings.

Justice Khampepe will be joined on the commission by Advocate Thulani Makhubela and Vuyelwa Mathilda Mabena.

“The commission will investigate the prevalence of hijacked buildings in Johannesburg, what caused the deadly blaze in Marshalltown, and who must shoulder total responsibility for this tragedy.

“In Johannesburg, the issue of stolen buildings is becoming a crisis, necessitating drastic action. A thorough intervention is required to ensure that disasters like the Marshalltown fire, one of the deadliest in recent memory, never happen again,” Lesufi said.

To gather essential information and evidence, Chairperson Khampepe has issued an open invitation to the public.

"Any person who provides information and wishes to remain anonymous, the Commission will respect the decision and keep their identity confidential."

Information can be submitted to the Commission Offices in Johannesburg's Sunnyside Office Park, Parktown or by calling the Commission at 067 421 3694 to make arrangements for the purpose of making a statement under oath or handing over the evidence. Notably, the Commission respects the confidentiality of those who remain anonymous.

Recognising the significant pain and trauma experienced by the victims and their families, the Commission is committed to providing psychological support during and after the proceedings.

"The purpose of the Commission's activities is to assist the victims in finding closure, also understanding that the process may cause them more distress.

"Psychological support to the victims and the Commission through and after the proceedings.

The Commission explained that the task will be executed with the diligence and sensitivity that it requires," the Commission explained.

The Commission’s work will be guided by the scope as appears in the Terms of Reference (hereinafter referred to as TORs) published in Provincial Gazette, Extraordinary No. 324 of 13 September 2023.

On national level, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala will lead the task of identifying all hijacked buildings in the country, as well as indicate what should be done with all those properties.

As the department responsible for State property management, the department was already in the process of identifying misappropriated State properties within its own asset register.

Out of 29 000 buildings in the department’s asset register throughout the country, the department has embarked on a process to recover some 1 260 properties that have been flagged as being illegally occupied under Operation Bring Back.