‘Don’t be quick to blame’ - Makhura on Charlotte Maxeke fire
Gauteng Premier David Makhura says people should not be so quick to point fingers at the provincial government following the fire at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg.
The hospital has been temporarily closed following the fire that broke out at its special dispensary store on Friday.
The blaze subsequently spread to other parts of the hospital and was only doused on Saturday.
Firefighters on the scene have said that the hospital did not comply with safety regulations, making it hard to extinguish the blaze.
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Speaking in Hillbrow on Tuesday, Makhura said a report on the cause of the fire will be ready by end of the day.
"Don't rush to conclude on what caused the fire. You have to investigate. Was it started by a person? Was it deliberate sabotage?
"The first thing is to investigate and find answers," Makhura said.
Makhura also defended the provincial government amid claims that it is failing to maintain critical infrastructure.
He said an assessment of health facilities has been done by the Department of Infrastructure.
Annual maintenance programmes are also being rolled out.
"We have spent over R2 billion upgrading facilities, upgrading them, re-organising the wards, adding beds.
"That's ongoing work done.”
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize is expected to visit the facility on Tuesday to assess the extent of damage caused by the fire and discuss the recovery plan for the hospital.
