Marshalltown building fire inquiry to start in October - Lesufi
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has confirmed the terms of reference for the commission of inquiry into the Marshalltown fire.
Last month's inferno at a hijacked building in the Joburg CBD claimed the lives of more than 70 people and left 60 others injured.
The story made international headlines and reopened the debate on abandoned and illegally occupied buildings in the inner city.
The panel, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Sisi Khampepe, is set to investigate the prevalence of hijacked buildings in Johannesburg, the cause of the blaze and who must take responsibility for the tragedy.
The commission, which will be divided into two phases, will start its first phase on 1 October and end on 30 November.
The second phase will start on 1 January 2024 and end on 31 March 2024.
The commission will then submit a report on the findings and recommendation to Lesufi by the end of April 2024.
"The work of this commission will not overlap nor interfere with the investigations into the causes of the fire being carried out by the South African Police Services (and other law enforcement organisations,” Lesufi said on Wednesday.
"It will be allowed to conduct its work without any undue political interference from anyone and will be given all the necessary logistical support by the Gauteng provincial government."
Seanego Attorneys Incorporated has been appointed as secretary to the commission.
ALSO READ:
