‘Decisive action’ needed to deal with hijacked buildings in Joburg
City of Johannesburg Council Speaker Colleen Makhubele says decisive action is needed to deal with hijacked buildings.
She's been commenting after a devastating fire tore through a five-storey building in central Joburg.
The death toll has risen to at least 73, and over 40 have been injured.
Makhubele says people need proper housing.
But she says they got some pushback over unsafe and noncompliant buildings.
READ: Joburg CBD fire causalities 'might increase' - EMS
"We were taken to court. There are court orders. We can't move, and then something like this happens. The Mayor will explain what they are doing about it falls within the Executive."
Makhubele says it's an absolute tragedy what happened.
"I don't care whether it was an illegal foreigner who was here or a local, a life is a life, and all of us here have a responsibility to uphold the integrity and dignity of a life and the City of Johannesburg we will do everything that we can to support those who are left behind and to help the families, bury those who need assistance and also counselling."
