Cabinet has expressed its condolences to the family and friends of the 73 people who died when a five-story building burnt down in Marshaltown, Johannesburg.
The building was engulfed by a fire in the early hours of Thursday morning. At least forty three others were injured.
Responding to questions on the fire, Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, stressed that government has a disaster management center nationally, with provincial disaster management centers and local disaster management centres in municipalities.
“We have first respondents who are fire fighters and medical rescue teams who are currently on the ground working with the City of Johannesburg and provincial government. If they need reinforcement from the national disaster management centre, such assistance is offered.
“On our part as government, the President continues to be updated of the situation but for now it is still in the realm of the local government and the provincial government of Gauteng. We continue to work as an integrated government to make sure that we respond to such incidences,” she said.
The Minister said that without attempting to preempt what would have been the cause of the fire, they will allow the investigations from the relevant authorities to take place and issue them with a report. She said that government will take the necessary actions thereafter. – SAnews.gov.za
