Live Updates:The fire has not been contained,sprinklers didn’t work,someone closed the valves.

By Lehlohonolo Lehana.

Statement issued by Parliament’s Presiding Officers:  Presiding officers calls for calm.

The Presiding Officers of Parliament are assuring the citizens of South Africa that all efforts will be made to limit any disruption of the business of Parliament following the fire that gutted parts of the Parliamentary precinct today.

The fire that destroyed parts of Parliament today came at a critical time when Parliament’s preparations for the hosting of the 2022 State of the Nation Address and Budget speech are at an advanced stage.

The Presiding Officers have confirmed that these flagship programmes of Parliament will not be affected by this unfortunate incident.

The Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and the Chairpersons n of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Mr Amos Masondo commended the Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services for their swift response.

“Had it not been for their prompt response, the damage could have been much worse. They responded within six minutes after they were called and alerted”, said the Presiding Officers.

The firefighters fought the blaze throughout the day, bringing under complete control fire in the NCOP offices, and continued to battle the flames in the NA Chamber and some offices that were severely gutted by fire.

Significant damage has been caused to the New Assembly Wing, which includes the NA Chamber.

The fire in these areas has almost been extinguished.

The Presiding Officers will tomorrow meet with all stakeholders, including the Minister of Public Works, Ms Patricia De Lille, to take stock of the incident and to assess the damage. The Presiding Officers have also appreciated the role of the President of the Republic, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, and his Ministers, Mr Mondli Gungubele and Ms Patricia De Lille, the Deputy Minister of SA Security Services Mr Zizi Kodwa, as well as officials and Members of Parliament who visited the scene to assess the damage and to offer moral support to the emergency services personnel.

The Presiding Officers, who have urged the law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned in establishing the cause of the incident, have welcomed the swift arrest of a man in connection with the incident.

They have appealed for calm, cautioned against any speculation and encouraged everyone to afford the law enforcement authorities space to investigate and provide the much-needed conclusive information.

Statement by Cape Town mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis: The City of Cape Town offers Council Chamber to Speaker of Parliament.

The devastating fire at Parliament today is a national tragedy. Cape Town is also the historic seat of Parliament, and so we share in the sense of tragedy felt by so many at this time.

While the full scale of the damage is being assessed, the City of Cape Town stands ready to do whatever it can to help.

I have been in contact with the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, to offer our immediate assistance so that the work of Parliament can continue.

Cape Town will make our Council Chamber available to the Speaker for sittings of the National Assembly, as well as the use of the Grand Parade and City Hall for the State of the Nation Address.

We want to see Parliament continue its important work, and we will do what we can to help.

Finally, I wish to thank the City of Cape Town firefighters who responded so quickly and in such force this morning, for their brave efforts to save as much of Parliament as possible.

They deservedly earned the praise of President Cyril Ramaphosa in his press conference earlier, and they no doubt have the thanks of the country too.

Statement:ActionSA calls for decisive action in response to Parliament arson.

ActionSA is appalled by the act of arson that has devastated our country’s parliament, along with what must be regarded to be a severe security failure.

With confirmation of the arrest of a suspect it is clear that this was no accident, and it becomes difficult to view this tragedy in isolation with the tabling of the State Capture Commission of Enquiry Report next week or the unrest witnessed in July last year.

In addition to this act of criminality, serious questions have to be asked about the security and fire systems in our parliament.

South Africa’s parliament is a vital symbol in our constitutional democracy. It was intended to be a sacred place where law-makers represent the will of the South African people and hold the President and his cabinet to account.

This act of arson that has wreaked havoc in this essential national key point cannot be reduced to another fire, but an act committed against the South African people.

ActionSA’s primary focus will be to ensure that law enforcement agencies conduct their investigations rapidly and without political interference, especially if this is found to be another consequence of ANC factional fights. 

Statement: DA calls for independent investigation.

The DA applauds the speed and efficiency with which the Western Cape Government and the City of Cape Town reacted to the devastating fire that ravaged large parts of Parliament today.

We thank President Ramaphosa for acknowledging that the City of Cape Town has an incredible fire response team, and agree completely with his assessment. Had it not been for these firefighting heroes, who responded within six minutes of getting the call, we could have seen nothing but a pile of ash where the buildings of hope and freedom once stood.

It cannot be denied that the upkeep of Parliament, security and general maintenance has been headed on a downward trajectory for the last ten years. The buildings have become neglected, dirty, dangerous and certainly not befitting of the home of South Africa’s democracy. Today’s disastrous fire has been a catastrophe just waiting to happen.

It has come to our attention through the Chief Whips’ Forum that SAPS is awaiting permission from the Fire and Emergency Services to take control to conduct an investigation. It is our belief that an independent investigation should also be launched immediately, led by fire, arson and forensic experts to ensure nothing is missed or overlooked.

We urgently request that this investigation assesses how this fire started and spread with the speed and ferocity that it did to all the houses.

We demand an urgent meeting of the Chief Whips’ Forum to get a full report of matters as they stand.

We also demand that the Minister of Public Works, Patricia de Lille, makes public the documents in her posession regarding the previous fire.

It has been reported that a 51-year-old male is being held for questioning. The truth must out, and the President, Minister Bheki Cele and Minister Patricia de Lille must be completely open and transparent in sharing all information with the South African public. It is after all the People’s Parliament and they have the right to know the truth.

In the emergency meeting of the Chief Whips, it is vital that a decision is made as to where parliament will sit while repairs take place, how SONA 2022 will be conducted and from where staff will work. It is essential that the People’s Parliament must continue to sit and hold the government and the executive to account.

Sprinklers didn’t work because someone closed the valves – De Lille.

Public Works Minister Patricia De Lille, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Lechesa Tsenoli and City of Cape Town fire services chief Jermaine Carelse held their last media briefing on the fire.

Carelse says firefighters are battling to contain the fire: “The situation remains fluid. It’s extremely humid. We have firefighters who are still busy in the National Assembly.”

Deputy Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli says: “We don’t have words to describe our outrage. People are rightfully angry to ask how this was allowed to happen.”

De Lille says the reason the sprinklers didn’t work because someone closed the valves.

She said the 51-year old has been arrested by the Hawks.

He has been charged with housebreaking and theft under the National Key Points Act. He will appear in court on Tuesday. 

Parliament’s library installed fire door in front of art room ‘immediately’ after UCT fire.

Lila Komnick, who retired as administrator of Parliament’s vast art collection a month ago, says the fire which has devastated Parliament is “a tragedy”.

Although Parliament’s upkeep and maintenance has been a bone of contention for years, she says she didn’t have particular fears about fires such as Sunday’s inferno.

“I can’t lay any blame at Public Works’ feet.”

Parliament’s art office – which is responsible for art, artefacts and other historical objects – requested a fire door be installed in front of one the Library of Parliament’s art rooms shortly after the UCT fire last year.

“It was installed immediately,” she said.

“Fears that we had (about fires) were general fears.”

Komnick says she is “very worried” about the Keiskamma tapestry which surrounds the outside wall of the Old Assembly.

Police have confirmed on social media a suspect has been taken in for questioning.

“One person has been taken in for questioning to answer as to what has transpired,” the post said.

Authorities suspect faulty fire detection equipment.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says someone is being held for questioning after a massive fire erupted at the parliamentary precinct in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Ramaphosa arrived at Parliament to inspect the damages. He was accompanied by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Public Works Minister Patricia De Lille on a walk-about to view the damages.

“We must be thankful the offices have not burned to the ground. Everyone acted with speed and we are thankful that everyone mobilised. There are certain things that do work,”he said.

“The praise must go to the firefighters of the City of Cape Town. They intervened at the right time. Their appearance has saved a very important national key point.”

Ramaphosa described as “devastating” the news of the fire, especially a day after Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s funeral.

“It’s just really a terrible setback. The Arch would’ve been devastated as well; this is a place he supported and prayed for.”

City of Cape Town activate Disaster Coordinating Team (DCT).

Following the fire at the parliamentary precinct, the Disaster Coordinating Team (DCT) has been activated. The main objective of the DCT is to support the forward command post with access to essential services and to provide information to National and Provincial Departments.

Water and Sanitation has been requested to assist with bulk water tankers to help with active fire fighting.

The Electricity Department has assisted with isolating the parliament  precinct.

Traffic Services is assisting with road closures.

The DCT is monitoring the situation as well as information flowing from forward command post to determine priorities and action interventions.

De Lille confirms National Assembly is still burning.

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Patricia De Lille says the national assembly is still burning.

“We have not been able to contain the fire in the national assembly chambers. Part of the ceilings have collapsed.”

National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula says that while this is very sad, and that Parliament is a national keypoint, the fire should not prevent the State of the Nation address from going forward.

“Ours is to find an alternative venue to now hold this State of the Nation Address,” said the speaker. 

The Speaker confirmed that recommendations following a report that was released after a fire last year are being implemented.

Report on Parliament fire as of 11.40 by JP Smith:

Fire has gutted the 3rd floor of the Old Assembly Building, including the office space and the gymnasium.

The roof of the Old Assembly building has collapsed and is gone.

The actual Old Assembly Chamber does not appear to be damaged although access cannot be gained and it may be water damaged.

The fire has not been contained.

The entire building has extensively smoke and water damage.

UPDATE:

Alpha (Old Assembly) Fire on 3rd floor gym area, active fire fighting. Extensive damage. Damage to adjascent offices, unable to determine extend of damage. Two jets in use.  6 BA sets in use. Active firefighting secind floor.

New Assembly: Structural ceiling collapse. Two jets exterior firefighting. 12 Fire Appliances. 1 Medical vehicle. Fire Officers and Chief Schnetler.Approximately 70 fire staff on scene. DRM on scene. SAPS on scene. Parliament staff on scene.

Investigations are underway to establish cause of fire.

Investigations are underway to establish what led to a fire on the Parliamentary precinct, Parliament’s Presiding Officers said on Sunday.

“The cause of the fire has not yet been established”, said Parliament’s Head of Communications Moloto Mothapo.

The fire has affected both the Old Assembly Wing and the National Assembly Wing of the buildings of Parliament, which house the chambers of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.

“The fire has been contained in the old wing. Firefighters are currently trying to control the fire in the New Wing, where the fire has affected the National Assembly Chamber.”

National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Amos Masondo, have expressed their appreciation to the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services for their prompt reaction and the work done thus far to contain the fire and limit the damage as much as possible.

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, led by Minister Patricia De Lille, the Deputy Minister of State Security Zizi Kodwa, the South African Police Services and security personnel of Parliament are in the Parliamentary Precinct assessing the situation.

BDO Report on Parliamentary Precinct.

DA MP Samantha Graham who also sits in the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure has raised concerns that the fire at the Parliamentary buildings could have been prevented.

According to Graham, an external report by auditing company, BDO apparently contained a number of findings that highlighted the risks at the Parliamentary Precinct.

“The minister refused to give us the report but handed it to the Speaker of Parliament. If the fire is as a result of one or more of the risks indicated in the report, then the Minister and the Speaker are complicit.”

This is the second fire in just over a year to break out at the fire Parliament’ Old Assembly building.

On 17 March 2021 a fire broke out at the Parliament’ Old Assembly building and at the time affecting certain areas including several upper floor offices and committee rooms.

Certain parts of the lower floor not affected by fire, were left flooded due to the activation of the fire sprinkler system.

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