Usindiso commission: CoJ must be held responsible for state of rundown buildings

JOHANNESBURG - The commission of inquiry into hijacked buildings in Johannesburg CBD has concluded the city must take responsibility for the dire living conditions in rundown properties.

The commission was set up to probe causes of the 2023 Usindiso building fire that claimed 76 lives and the broader issue of hijacked buildings in the inner city.

It recently handed over its second report to Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi.

The report found the City of Johannesburg has a long-standing record of neglecting its own buildings in the area.

The commission considered affidavits and oral testimony from 28 witnesses.

The report points to systemic failures and poor by-law enforcement, holding the city accountable for the lack of affordable housing, which it said has forced vulnerable residents into unsafe living conditions.

It also highlights the city’s failure to deliver basic services like water, sanitation, and electricity, leading to illegal and dangerous connections.

"Finally, the inconsistent and often non-existent enforcement of by-laws is a shared failing between the city and private owners. This lax oversight allows buildings to deteriorate, become havens for illegal activities, and further exacerbate the living conditions for residents,” the report reads.

The commission further criticised the city for allowing its own buildings to be hijacked, despite having enforcement resources such as saps and the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) at its disposal.