MUST READ: Gauteng government’s apparent negligence puts its employees at risk
JOBURG - Gauteng government's apparent negligence puts its employees at risk.
The apparent negligence of the South African government has cost the lives of three firefighters who were trying to extinguish a fire at a building in Johannesburg on 5 September, leaving some employees hospitalised.
The building, also known as the Bank of Lisbon, houses various government departments including that of health, human settlements and cooperative governance and traditional affairs.
Read: #JoburgFire: Condolences flood in for the three brave firefighters who lost their lives
It is still unclear what caused the fire at the 23-storey building on the corner of President and Sauer streets adjacent to ANC headquarters, Luthuli House.
After commissioning an assessment report about the occupancy of its own buildings last year, the Gauteng government has revealed that eight of its buildings do not meet safety requirements.
Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development’s MEC, Jacob Mamabolo, told the media outside the building in the aftermath that the report was released to them on 27 August this year and declared the buildings risky, including the building on Sauer Street.
Mamabolo said they were aware of the ‘bad’ condition of the building but did not anticipate such a horrific incident could have happened. “As Gauteng government, we commissioned an assessment report for eight of our government-owned buildings and the report, which was released last week, indicate that they do not comply with the country’s laws as well as health and safety standards.
Read #ICYMI: Two more firefighters lose their lives #JoburgFire
“According to the report, the health and safety level of compliance for this building stands at 21 per cent instead of 85 per cent as per the requirement. However, at this time we do not know what caused the fire but a thorough investigation is expected to be conducted to determine the cause.”
Mamabolo urged people not to speculate but wait for a full report of the investigation. He added that they will review the reports for the other government buildings and said if need be, they will be evacuated and ensure proper working conditions for their officials. “We will then improve measures and procedures so that we are able to deal with such incidents in future cases of a disaster like this.
“At the moment, this building will be cleared and will remain empty until further notice.”
City’s Emergency Management Services officials will probe the circumstances that led to the fire and MMC Funzela Ngobeni, said they will ensure a proper investigation of the incident.
Ngobeni said, “We will assess and check what is needed to be done to improve working conditions at this building.”
Mamabolo and Ngobeni relayed their deepest condolences to the families of the deceased.
Details: Johannesburg Emergency Management Services 076 733 1371.
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