By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Retired ConCourt judge Sisi Khampepe will chair an inquiry into the cause of the deadly Marshalltown blaze that claimed the lives of 77 people.
Khampepe will be assisted by advocate Thulani Makhubela and Vuyelwa Mathilda Mabena.
The story made international headlines and opened up the debate on illegally occupied buildings in the inner city.
The commission is set to investigate the prevalence of hijacked buildings in Johannesburg, the cause of the blaze and who must take responsibility for the tragedy.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi explained that a thorough intervention is required to ensure that disasters like the Marshalltown fire, one of the deadliest in recent memory, never happen again.”
“The work of the commission will not overlap with the investigations into the causes of the fire being carried out by the police and other law enforcement organisations, Lesufi said.
He said the Gauteng government seeks a comprehensive overhaul of all the underlying issues that put the lives of the residents of the province in danger, and the commission is the initial step in achieving this objective.
“We urge all affected communities and organisations to make submissions and work with the commission to get to the bottom of this intractable problem of hijacked buildings,” he said.
The terms of reference and regulations of the commission are yet to be gazetted.
Makhubela has more than 26 years of legal and business experience behind him and has previously testified on numerous matters at various courts, including the labour court and the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA).
He has also represented clients before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
Mabena is an avid community activist with extensive experience working in the public sector. She also served as a councillor on the Ekurhuleni Municipality mayoral committee and as an MMC in charge of environmental services.