By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The commission of inquiry into the Usindiso building in Marshalltown which burnt down, resulting in 77 deaths will start the first part of its work on October 26.
The inquiry has been delayed for over three weeks, forcing it to request an extension to complete the first phase of its work.
This was announced by chairperson of the commission retired justice Sisi Khampepe during a media briefing in Parktown on Tuesday.
In the early hours of 31 August, a raging inferno ripped through the overcrowded five-storey building, which was found to have been hijacked.
The incident sparked a debate on hijacked buildings in Joburg’s city centre, with many warning that the Marshalltown incident was a tragic culmination of poor service delivery and criminality that could repeat itself at many of the other derelict properties.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi appointed a two-phase ‘politically-free’ commission of inquiry into the fire on September 13.
In part A, the inquiry will deal specifically with the fire, its causes, and who should be held accountable for the loss of life and injuries suffered by the residents of the building, which was once a home for vulnerable women and children.
“We may just give an indication that there will definitely be three witnesses that will be called in to give evidence with regard to part A, “Khampepe said.
The rules governing the proceedings dictate that witnesses are to be called at the discretion of the chairperson to give oral evidence.
Expanding on this, the commission’s spokesperson, Advocate Thulani Makhubele, said the evidence leaders were still consulting, and more witnesses were likely to be called to give evidence.
“I don’t think that the evidence leaders have a definitive number. But they are in consultation and taking statements, and on the basis of what they then uncover, they will have an indication on how many witnesses we are going to be looking for part A.”
Among those being consulted are the survivors who have been housed in at least three temporary shelters and non-governmental organisations that are interested in making submissions.
Part B of the inquiry will deal with the prevalence of hijacked buildings in the Johannesburg inner city.
Khampepe clarified that in accordance with the terms reference, in part B of its work, the commission will focus its investigations on hijacked buildings in Johannesburg CBD, looking at the prevalence of such activities, who is behind them, how this may be remedied and by whom.