At about 12:30 this afternoon, the City's Emergency Management Services (EMS) received reports of a building collapse on the corner of Davis Street and Rockey Street in Doornfontein in the inner city.
Upon arrival EMS firefighters and paramedics declared three children dead on the scene and rushed one to hospital.
Two girls ages 5 and 3 and a 10 year old boy were playing on the pavement outside the building when one of the walls collapsed on them.
Fire fighters are still unclear of what caused the collapse but speculate that the lack of maintenance and aged structure of the building resulted in the collapse.
The building was occupied by mostly foreign nationals who had built shacks inside the premises.
About 30 families have been safely removed from the building and the Department of Public Safety's Disaster Management team are assisting the displaced.
Firefighters will be knocking down the rest of the building to ensure that it does not collapse any further.
MMC for Public Safety, Cllr Michael Sun was at the scene with me and stated: "I am aggrieved by the death of such innocent young lives. This incident is a devastating tragedy. Our Disaster Management team are on site and will be assisting the displaced with food, clothing, blankets and temporary accommodation.”
Tragically, there are hundreds of derelict buildings in the inner city of Johannesburg. Some of these properties have been abandoned and owners cannot be traced. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, for the City to ensure compliance with applicable by-laws, which in turn contributes to the degradation of the urban environment.
Far too many residents living in these derelict buildings, are forced to survive under inhabitable and inhumane conditions, infringing on their rights to dignity.
Where the owners of hijacked buildings cannot be located despite a diligent search, the City intends to bring an application for a declaratory order to declare that the property has been abandoned and directing the Registrar of Deeds to register the property in the name of the State or its nominee.
On 26 February 2018, I wrote to the former Minister of Public Works, Mr Nathi Nhleko, to request that an agreement be concluded with the Department of Public Works, in which the Department will name the City as its nominee for the transfer of these abandoned properties in Johannesburg.
To date, I have not heard back from the former or current Minister, Mr Thulas Nxesi.
This morning, I sent a follow up letter to Minister Nxesi, imploring that his Department and the City work together in the best interests of our residents.
There is a genuine opportunity for the City and Department to work together on this important matter that will not only help to turn around the decay of the inner city, but also help to restore the dignity of our residents who have been neglected for far too long.
This will ensure that the City is able to expedite the redevelopment of these properties for the benefit of our poorest residents and to also create affordable student accommodation.
It is vital that the different spheres of government work together with civil society and other stakeholders to ensure that we sustainably address the human crisis occurring in the inner city of Johannesburg. In doing so we can help to prevent such tragedies from reoccurring.
I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased children. May their souls rest in peace.
Cllr Herman Mashaba
Executive Mayor
City of Joburg
Media enquiries:
Luyanda Mfeka
Director of Communications
Office of the Executive Mayor
Cell: 0761715978
Email: luyandam@joburg.org.za
