Jeppestown Fire: Four Dead, Three Injured in Blaze at Hijacked Building
Image Source: At least four people died and three others were injuried in a fire in Jeppestown on August 25, 2024. via Joburg EMS
Published by Everything ZA News
Johannesburg – A fire at an abandoned building in Jeppestown, Johannesburg, claimed the lives of four people and left three others injured early on Sunday morning. The building, notorious for criminal activities, became the site of a deadly blaze that highlighted the ongoing issues surrounding hijacked properties in the city.
Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero, speaking after the fire was extinguished, revealed that the multistorey building was a hub of criminal activity, with groups of people seen fleeing the scene with firearms as the fire raged. “Responders witnessed individuals leaving the building during the fire, carrying guns and ammunition,” said Morero.
Joburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi stated that the fire’s cause is suspected to be an illegal connection, a common issue in hijacked buildings. The fire claimed the lives of two men and two women.
The building, owned by a private company, had been abandoned for several years. Mayor Morero disclosed that while the exact history of the building’s operations is unclear, the city has already identified the company responsible for the property. “The city manager and our team have the name of the company, but they need to conduct further investigation,” Morero said.
As for the displaced residents, whose numbers are yet to be confirmed, Morero assured that they would be relocated to a place of safety, where they will be processed and profiled to determine the city’s next steps. The mayor emphasized that the building was a center for various criminal activities, including rape and robbery.
Morero also addressed the broader issue of hijacked buildings in Johannesburg, acknowledging the complexity of the problem and the involvement of criminal syndicates. “This is not a simple solution. It’s very complicated. We need law enforcement agencies to help investigate,” he said. He added that the city alone does not have the necessary resources to tackle the issue effectively.
Meanwhile, a local resident and ward committee member, Thobile Sisaga, recounted the harrowing events leading up to the fire. “At around 12am, we heard something bursting and initially thought it was gunfire. When it continued, we went to investigate and saw the building was on fire,” she told SABC News. Sisaga confirmed that the building had been hijacked.
This latest tragedy comes just days before the one-year anniversary of the Usindiso fire, which claimed 76 lives on August 31, 2023. The Jeppestown building has been declared unsafe and is set for demolition, a grim reminder of the ongoing dangers posed by hijacked and abandoned properties in Johannesburg.
The Sunday Times, reporting on the Jeppestown incident, also uncovered details of another abandoned building in Doornfontein, which bears striking similarities to the Usindiso tragedy. This four-storey building, also hijacked, is owned by a private family named Seef, raising further concerns about the city’s ability to manage and secure such properties.
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