Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi has hit back at the City of Johannesburg MMC for public safety Mgcini Tshwaku after he blamed the provincial government for the indefinite postponement of the Usindiso commission of inquiry into the Marshalltown fire that left 77 people dead two months ago.
The judicial commission, which is led by retired Judge Sisi Khampepe, was postponed indefinitely on Monday after it emerged that the venue of the inquiry was not compliant with the by-laws of the City of Johannesburg.
After the postponement, Tshwaku claimed on Thursday that the Gauteng provincial government did not heed a previous call by the city’s emergency management services (EMS) that the venue in Sunnyside office Park in Parktown, was not compliant with the city’s by-laws, prior to securing it, regarding fire safety standards.
“This same building was intended to be the venue for the commission of inquiry into taxi violence. Despite clear concerns voiced by the EMS during planning meetings, the provincial government, as hosts of the Usindiso commission, did not adequately consult with the city.
“Further to that, they also did not conduct mandatory planned meetings as stipulated by law before taking the decision to use the building for the commission,” he said.
Lesufi’s spokesperson, Sizwe Pamla, told Sunday World Tshwaku was talking hogwash.
He said the commission of inquiry was given a space in an operational office park that houses several businesses.
“The location was picked explicitly because the owners had assured us that it complied with all health and safety regulations, and the municipality had never raised any concerns. The single concern expressed was restricting the number of individuals who could enter the venue to a predetermined amount due to its size. While the commission got underway, we noted a rising public and media interest, which made the acquired space inadequate for hosting the inquiry. The province made all submissions to the relevant joint operations committee,” said Pamla.
Pamla also said the office of the premier is currently locating a bigger space to house people who have expressed interest in the commission’s work.
“The provincial administration is still dedicated to ensuring the commission finishes its work as quickly as possible, allowing the country and province to fully comprehend the tragedy’s circumstances and provide closure to the victims and their families,” he said.
The inquiry, which was established by Lesufi, is split into two phases.
The first phase deals with the circumstances of the fire and the prevalence of hijacked buildings in the Joburg CBD.
The second phase focuses on making the necessary observations and findings about who must shoulder the liability for the deaths and injuries, and
also recommendations insofar as the appropriate steps to be taken and by whom, and to address any relevant matter concerning the scope of the inquiry.
