PHUTI MOSOMANE
Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Research Institute has confirmed that two children lost their lives on Tuesday night when a building adjacent to theirs in Hillbrow caught fire.
The Institute said the building is illegally occupied and was condemned and deemed unsafe for human habitation years ago.
Robert Mulaudzi, Joburg EMS Spokesperson, said the children, both minors aged five and seven, were found burned beyond recognition.
“The fire has been extinguished. Our crew just recovered two bodies of two young children between the ages of five and seven. They were left inside the flat. They succumbed to smoke inhalation and lost their lives. There were no other injuries. The cause of the fire is still subject to an investigation,” said on Wednesday.
Executive Director of Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute Professor Helen Rees said the institution has requested that the Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda come through for a meeting with senior representatives from Wits and Wits RHI on Thursday.
“The history of this goes all the way back to 2006 when Wits RHI first came into the Hillbrow Health Precinct. The Florence building was already illegally occupied and over the years multiple visits have taken place from Johannesburg Mayors, Premiers and City Managers,” Rees said.
She said the building has long been “deemed unfit for human habitation” and action is needed to prevent further tragedy.
Officials from Wits RHI said they have also repeatedly raised the issues of invaded buildings such as the Florence Hospital and the illegal Esselen Street taxi rank as associated with health and safety risks.
“People deserve to live in buildings that are safe and fit for human habitation. These two children were locked in a Room and had no way out.”
The cause of the fire is still being investigated.
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