Usindiso victims ‘continuously living in trauma’

The Marshalltown Fire Justice Campaign says the survivors of the deadly Marshalltown fire, in which 76 people were killed in August last year, are repeatedly being traumatised due to the dire circumstances they find themselves in.

The survivors were relocated to their temporary accommodation in Denver and according to the organisation, they have to endure at least 10 flooding incidents since last December.

The remarks were contained in the Usindiso Commission of Inquiry’s report, which was released on Sunday by the commission’s chair, Justice Sisi Khampepe.

The report found that the City of Johannesburg and the Johannesburg Property Company should be held partially liable for the tragedy, which also left hundreds of people injured and others displaced.

Speaking to YNews, spokesperson for the Marshalltown Fire Justice Campaign, Mametlwe Sebei, says the report supports his organisation’s position that the city’s negligence and violation of bylaws resulted in the disaster.

Sebei says the survivors deserve justice and compensation to help them get back on their feet.

The organisation slammed the city’s treatment of migrants, describing it as inhumane and unfair.

Sebei says the city also need to provide adequate accommodation that has the basic needs including electricity, water and sanitation, for the survivors.

“This continuous neglect highlights a systemic disregard for the well-being of the city’s impoverished communities, often exploited for corrupt purposes.”

He says the report also fails to address the need for accountability for the evictions, detentions, and deportations of many surviving residents.

Marshalltown Fire Justice Campaign has urged the Mayor of Joburg, Kabelo Gwamanda, to fulfill his commitment to refurbish Usindiso and 224 other residential buildings, which the organisation believes will address the housing crisis in the city.