CDB neglect led to one of Africa’s most tragic fire disasters, expert tells inquiry
(BUSINESS DAY )
‘There is no national fire code in SA — all major cities and metro councils need to take cognisance of this fact’
The catastrophe at the Usindiso building in the Johannesburg CBD in 2023 that killed 77 people can be characterised as one of Africa’s deadliest fires.
This was part of the testimony of Wynand Engelbrecht, chief fire officer at Fire Opps SA, who took to the stand on Wednesday at the commission of inquiry into the blaze.
“The condition of that building was not unlike that of hundreds of other such buildings in the city or the country. The profile is one of general neglect and total disregard for fire safety and thus the preservation of life.