Gauteng Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs and
Human Settlements MEC, Dikgang Uhuru Moiloa, has renewed calls to owners of
private buildings to work with authorities to prevent the illegal occupation of
buildings.
The MEC also warned strongly against the occupation of abandoned structures and the exploitation by greedy slumlords, who take advantage of vulnerable families.MEC Moiloa’s call follows the tragic death of three children
aged three, five and 10, who passed away when a dilapidated building they were
in collapsed on Monday.
Members of Emergency Medical Services and Urban Search and
Rescue services were called out to the scene after the collapse of the
structure in Doornfontein, Johannesburg.
According the provincial department, the building was
illegally occupied by about 100 families at the time.
“It is not only sad and tragic that yet another set of
children had to die under such horrific circumstances, as a clear reminder of
the social ills of illegal occupation. It was established that the building was
illegally occupied and not suitable for human habitation,” said MEC Moiloa.
Following the removal of the children’s bodies, Urban Search
and Rescue Services, together with other emergency workers, put measures in
place to have all the illegal occupants removed and the rest of the dangerous
structure demolished in anticipation of further collapses.
MEC Moiloa has requested the Disaster Management Centre to
mobilise the building control authorities to further the investigation into the
cause of the collapse.
The MEC also warned strongly against the occupation of
abandoned structures and the exploitation by greedy slumlords, who take
advantage of vulnerable families.
“Not only is this practice extremely dangerous, but it is
also criminal,” said MEC Moiloa.
The MEC has sent his heartfelt condolences to the families
and loved ones of the three children and arrangements are underway to secure
alternative accommodation for the current occupants.
“The entire building remains in an unstable condition and
poses several safety risks due to the heavy rains, the illegal water and
electrical connections and the overall structural state of the building,” said
the MEC. – SAnews.gov.za
Print
