Fire that killed 4 toddlers in Mayfair was 'avoidable' - Ferial Haffajee, Daily Maverick
The City of Joburg had reportedly ignored warnings about the building.
Forensic teams at the scene of a fire on Monday, 19 May 2025, that killed four children in Mayfair in Joburg’s CBD. Picture: Jabulile Mbatha/EWN.
702’s John Perlman speaks with Ferial Haffajee, Associate Editor for The Daily Maverick.
Listen below:
Four toddlers between the ages of 2 and 4 were burnt beyond recognition in a blaze at an overcrowded Mayfair house on 19 May 2025.
At least 32 people were living in a space built for six in the Johannesburg slum property, and one of the rooms was being used as a creche.
Prior to the deadly fire, the City of Joburg had been warned about this property and the dangers it posed several times.
A contravention notice was issued for the property in 2022, but no further action was taken, and lives were lost.
Haffajee believes that if officials had responded timeously to all the complaints, this tragedy could have been avoided.
RELATED: Fatal Mayfair fire: Tenant blames childminder for often leaving children unattended
She adds that this is something that could easily happen again in the area, as there are several other homes in similar conditions.
“I know the area quite well. The whole place is an accident waiting to happen.”
- Ferial Haffajee, Associate Editor - Daily Maverick
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