Johannesburg, the city of gold, is known for its wealth and prosperity. However, behind the glitz and glamour lies a deep housing crisis that has left many residents living in unsafe and deplorable conditions. The recent Usindiso building fire, which claimed the lives of 77 people and left over 500 homeless, has shed light on the dire situation faced by the city’s poorest citizens.
The man responsible for starting the fire, a witness in the public inquiry, confessed that he unintentionally ignited the blaze while working for a violent drug dealer. He revealed a horrifying story of using fuel to set fire to the body of a man he had strangled while under the influence of drugs. His actions have led to charges of arson, 77 counts of murder, and 120 counts of attempted murder.
President Cyril Ramaphosa initially expressed his condolences and promised to provide assistance to those affected by the fire. However, five months later, many survivors are still living in squalid conditions. The government has relocated them to a newly built camp of metal shacks, which lack basic necessities such as water and electricity. The camp is prone to flooding, leaving the residents vulnerable and without proper shelter.
The living conditions in the camp are a far cry from the dignity that the survivors deserve. They have access to only two communal taps, few unhygienic chemical toilets, and no bathing facilities. Cooking is done on open fires, and security measures have been inadequate, resulting in instances of rape and other crimes.
The lack of budget and affordable housing options has been cited as the reason for the substandard living conditions. Johannesburg’s Mayor, Kabelo Gwamanda, admitted that the authorities have struggled to respond efficiently to emergency situations. Many properties that could have served as alternative accommodation have been “hijacked” by criminal gangs, exacerbating the crisis.
The term “hijacked buildings” refers to properties that have been taken over by gangs and illegally rented out. However, this label has been misused and applied to various buildings, criminalizing individuals who are simply seeking affordable housing. Abandoned buildings in the city have become havens for criminal activity and are devoid of basic services and safety measures.
The government has a legal obligation to provide emergency temporary accommodation to those evicted from unsafe buildings. However, the shortage of affordable housing has limited the options available. The metal shacks in the camp are currently the only offer of temporary accommodation, but the residents fear how long “temporary” will actually be.
Johannesburg is estimated to have 15,000 homeless people, highlighting the magnitude of the housing crisis. The mayor has initiated investigations into 188 “bad buildings,” with the aim of evicting people residing in unsafe conditions. However, courtrooms have become a battleground, as human rights groups work to protect vulnerable communities from further displacement.
The ongoing public inquiry into the Usindiso building fire has brought to light the broader issue of safety and security for the poorest in society. Fire safety experts have emphasized that the neglect of buildings is a pervasive problem in South Africa, where life safety is not prioritized.
The suffering endured by those living in neglected buildings in Johannesburg cannot be contained or ignored. Immediate action needs to be taken to address the housing crisis and provide safe and dignified living conditions for all citizens. The government must allocate sufficient resources and work towards sustainable solutions that go beyond temporary measures. It is time to restore the wellbeing of the fire survivors and ensure that no one else is subjected to such dire circumstances.
