Discussions needed about living conditions: Mashaba
Updated | By Maryke Vermaak
Over 100 people have been displaced after a fire ripped through a hijacked building in the Johannesburg CBD.
The blaze left seven people dead and seven others injured.
Emergency services spent most of the day putting out the fire and looking for any survivors.
Fearful occupants of the dilapidated building used sheets and blankets to lower themselves out of the building, but six people were burnt to death and one man died after jumping from the building.
ALSO READ - In Pictures: Deadly fire in downtown Johannesburg
Johannesburg EMS spokesperson Nana Radebe says after preliminary investigations, the exact cause of the fire could not be determined.
Mayor Herman Mashaba lashed out at what he called 'so-called human rights lawyers' who criticised the city for wanting to condemn buildings like these.
"I had a two hour meeting with a team from the Human Rights Commission and I raised this issue about the living conditions of our people being protected by so-called human rights lawyers and I said I need discussions around this, because we need to do something about this," says Mashaba.
"This is an emergency and this is not an isolated case. If we don't do anything about this, we will see more people losing their lives."
Show's Stories
-
LISTEN: Actress Sophie Joans talks about her award-winning play
Two extraordinary stage talents, Sophie Joans and Rob van Vuuren, have t...
The Drive with Rob & Roz 5 hours ago -
LISTEN: The best road trip tips ahead of the Easter weekend
From traffic to packing, Rob Forbes and Rozanne McKenzie are sharing tip...
The Drive with Rob & Roz 8 hours ago