Gauteng government building earmarked for demolition in Johannesburg

Bank of Lisbon is earmarked for demolition soon even though reports containing the cause of the blaze that left three firefighters died last year have not yet been made public.

The building on Sauer Street, which housed three Gauteng government departments, health, human settlement, cooperative governance, and traditional affairs, caused a stir when it caught fire on 5 September 2018.

Firefighters tried to put out the fire but it was too overwhelming and ravaged through most parts of the building for two days as published in the North Eastern Tribune, CBD building ‘bad’ and risky’ [Week Ending 14 September].

Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development (DID) MEC, Jacob Mamabolo, told the media then that they will commission an investigation into the cause of the fire, further admitting that the building status had been reported to be 21 per cent in terms of infrastructure and environmental compliance laws of the country.

Since then, the City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) and other independent investigators, have been hard at work trying to establish the cause of the blaze that started on the ninth floor of the building.

On 6 March, the Gauteng Provincial Government confirmed that they have conducted a structural assessment of the building and it has revealed that the building sustained extensive structural damage resulting from the fire incident.

“Having considered the assessment report and available options to remedy the structural damage, GPG made the determination that the Bank of Lisbon building has to be demolished,” read the statement.

The provincial government said a contractor has been appointed to manage the demolition project adding that the building has been stabilised and the contractor is conducting investigations to determine the best and safest way of demolishing the building.

Nana Radebe, the spokesperson for the Joburg EMS, said they only heard about the demolition but no formal engagement has been done or communicated to them.

She said regarding the cause of the fire, they have finalised their report but are still waiting for the one that was done by an independent firm.

“We will release the report as soon as they (independent investigators) release theirs and we expect to do so soon.

“I’m not at liberty to reveal the details yet but it [the report] contains all the findings and the challenges as well as the recommendations – as for the demolition we believe it’s a provincial government’s decision,” said Radebe.

Details: Thabo Masebe 082 410 8087 or Thabo.Masebe@gauteng.gov.za

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