Tragic fire in Mayfair leads to MMC's decisive action against unsafe property

The Mayoral Member of Committee (MMC) for Public Safety in the City of Joburg, Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, has reportedly shut down the property in which four toddlers tragically died when one of the rooms of the house was engulfed in flames on Monday morning.

Tshwaku, who visited the area on Tuesday afternoon, indicated that the property had violated a series of city by-laws and property laws, which warranted it to be closed down to ensure the safety of the community of Mayfair.

His visit comes as another fire is said to have erupted on the corner of Janie and Jules streets in Jeppestown, Johannesburg, on Wednesday morning after a part of the basement of the building was gutted by a fire.

According to Johannesburg Emergency Services (EMS) spokesperson Xolile Khumalo, there were no fatalities in the latest incident after firefighters found the building in flames.

“On arrival, firefighters found a two-story building on fire. The fire started in the basement of the building where shacks were erected. Twelve shacks were destroyed in the incident. All occupants of the building were evacuated to safety on time,” Khumalo said. 

On the closure of the Mayfair building, Tshwaku stated: “We have declared this property shutdown with immediate effect. The house violated all by-laws, violated town planning regulations, and lacked basic safety compliance. It is now a crime scene; no entry will be allowed.”

On Monday just after 10am, firefighters responded to a fire which had broken out at the Mayfair residential property after one of the rooms reported to have been used as an unlicensed day care centre caught fire, resulting in the death of four toddlers, including a seven month old child while the day care manager and two other toddlers survived the fire.

According to the MMC, the property was home to no less than 100 people, including scores of South Africans and undocumented immigrants.

“More than 100 undocumented foreigners are currently occupying an illegal house in Mayfair. The property owners or landlords are either out of the country or deceased, complicating immediate enforcement,” Tshwaku added.

As a result of the fire, the MMC has urged Mayfair residents Joburg residents as a whole to report any other properties that have been invaded and taken over by squatters.

“The death of four innocent children is a tragic result of by-law non-compliance. We must dismantle criminal syndicates and restore order. We are working with authorities to address the situation and protect community safety," he added.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za