Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi Reveals Khampepe Commission Findings on Usindiso Fire Linking It to Extreme Poverty
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi reveals Khampepe Commission findings on Usindiso fire linking it to extreme poverty, stating that the root cause of hijacked buildings in Johannesburg’s CBD is severe hardship forcing people into unsafe living conditions, rather than the buildings themselves being the main issue.
In a key update that sheds light on a tragic event, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi reveals Khampepe Commission findings on Usindiso fire linking it to extreme poverty, stating that the root cause of hijacked buildings in Johannesburg’s CBD is severe hardship forcing people into unsafe living conditions, rather than the buildings themselves being the main issue. This comes as families and survivors still seek closure two years after the blaze that claimed 76 lives, mostly foreign nationals, in August 2023. Lesufi shared these insights at a media talk in Johannesburg on Wednesday, stressing plans to work with the city to fix the deeper problems of poor homes and hard lives that lead to such dangers.
The Tragic Usindiso Building Fire and Its Aftermath
The fire broke out in the early hours of 31 August 2023 at the Usindiso building in Marshalltown, Johannesburg CBD, a state-owned spot that had been taken over and turned into crowded living space. It quickly spread, killing 76 people, including 12 children, and hurting dozens more. Many who died were from other countries, seeking better lives but ending up in unsafe spots due to a lack of cheap homes. The blaze left survivors without homes, many now in rough camps with their own risks like guns and bad conditions.
Two years on, a memorial was held where people remembered the lost ones, calling it “pure pain” and pushing for real help. Survivors feel left alone, with some saying the city has not done enough to fix their lives. The event showed how deep the hurt runs, with families still waiting for full answers and support.
Khampepe Commission Report: Key Findings and Recommendations
The inquiry, led by former judge Sisi Khampepe, looked into what caused the fire and why such buildings exist. The first part of the report, given in May 2024, blamed the City of Johannesburg for not caring for the building, letting it fall into disrepair. It said the city failed in its duty, leading to the tragedy.
The full report, handed over in July 2025, went deeper, saying the real problem is not just taken-over buildings but extreme poverty and no cheap places to live. Only a small part, 5.7%, had issues with fake owners collecting rent. Most people end up there because they have no better choice, forced into danger by hard times.
Lesufi shared: “In summary, this is what the report states: the root cause was misidentified. The investigation challenges the common assumptions that hijacked buildings are the primary problem and evidence shows that only a small majority, 5.7% had problems of rent collection by non-owners. The crisis is instead driven by extreme poverty and a severe lack of affordable housing, forcing people into living in unsafe conditions.”
The findings call for knocking down the Usindiso site and building safe homes, plus better checks on buildings to stop fires. It also points fingers at city bosses for neglect, urging fixes to stop more losses.
Gauteng Government’s Response and Future Plans
Lesufi said the province will team up with Johannesburg to tackle taken-over buildings head-on. He stressed working together to fix the main cause: poverty and no good homes. This means more cheap places to live and help for those in need, aiming to stop people from risking lives in bad spots.
At the talk after a big meeting, Lesufi shared main points from talks on fixing the province’s woes. He promised not to let the report sit unused, pushing for real steps to make lives better.
Community and Survivor Calls for Justice
Survivors and families want more than words; they call for real help and fairness. Many live in camps they say are like “pure hell,” with no safety and bad setups. Groups helping them push for better homes and support, saying the city has dragged feet.
A year after, some felt forgotten, with slow moves on stays and aid. Two years on, memorials keep the push alive, with calls for the report’s ideas to become real fixes.
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