The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is part of the Usindiso inquiry and, to date, has inspected over 40 buildings as part of the second phase of the investigation. This phase aims to assess the prevalence of similar buildings in the inner city. The recent fire incident underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for the City to plan for safe emergency housing, provide services in these buildings, and offer affordable housing in the inner city. The Commission urges the City not to wait for disasters like these to occur before fulfilling its constitutional obligations.

While the City has made efforts to provide the victims of the fire with temporary alternative accommodation in the form of tents, the Commission advocates for the urgent exploration of more suitable temporary alternative accommodation. It is imperative to mitigate the risk of another fire breaking out in the tents, as they are inherently more susceptible to fire hazards.

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ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

For further information contact the Gauteng Provincial Office of the South African Human Rights Commission:  Mateenah Hunter-Parsonage, Acting Provincial Manager on 011 877 3676