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The bodies of the victims of the Marshalltown fire that occurred a year ago are still at the state mortuaries due to the City of Johannesburg’s (COJ) inept handling of this disaster and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s government not doing enough to intervene and ensure dignified burial.

Some survivors are still detained at the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp, awaiting deportation. Others are homeless and enduring the most inhumane conditions. Only a cruel and irresponsible government would stand by as a calamity unfolds.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has for far too long called on the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), the City of Johannesburg, and the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) to develop a viable and effective policy to address the issue of highjacked buildings and homelessness in the inner city. To date, nothing has been done. Inaction has become entrenched.

A lack of policy or direction in dealing with hijacked buildings is evident in the remarks of the City of Johannesburg's new Mayor, Dada Morero, stating that the challenge of reclaiming hijacked buildings is "bigger" than initially imagined by officials. Premier Panyaza Lesufi's interventions have also failed to introduce a meaningful and implementable solution.

The DA reiterates its demands for the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements, COGTA, the City of Johannesburg, and the JDA to provide the residents of Gauteng with information on what they will do to prevent future fires and unnecessary loss of lives. These entities and departments must also work with the Department of Home Affairs to identify the bodies languishing in the state morgue so that families can bury their loved ones. Time is of the essence we need action now.

The DA also appeals to the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) to identify the Marshalltown fire victims and provide them with the necessary social services. The DA will also undertake an oversight inspection at the Lindela Repatriation Centre to evaluate the situation.

A solution-oriented DA government would engage with building owners and stakeholders to address the issue of hijacked buildings. It would also prioritise relocating occupants, combating building hijackers, and repurposing condemned structures.

Issued by Mervyn Cirota MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Human Settlements