Death toll in Marshalltown fire to rise

Staff reporter

Johannesburg – The death toll in Marshalltown fire is likely to rise with at least 32 people seriously injured.

This was said by the MEC for Health in Gauteng Province, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko giving an update.

Last week’s fire at a building in the Johannesburg CBD left 77 people dead.

The department’s spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said the pathologist had completed the post-mortem on Sunday.

“The department can confirm that pathologist today (Sunday) completed post-mortems for the 74 bodies at the Diepkloof Forensic Pathology Services mortuary including for the additional three who died in hospital following the fateful incident.”

Modiba added that police have drawn DNA samples of the 62 unidentifiable bodies.

“The police have also drawn DNA samples from the 62 unidentifiable bodies with 13 Antemortem swabbing taken from families. Antemortem samples are only being taken from the siblings or the parents of the deceased.

“Once the samples are taken from the deceased and the family members, they will be cross-referenced to match them as part of liking families of their deceased loved one.”

To date, 10 families have identified their loved ones from the 12 identifiable bodies and seven have already been released to the families.

“Once the families conclude necessary processes and produce required identification documents the mortal remains are released to them for burial,” said Modiba.

Only 31 people are still receiving care in hospital as of Sunday after 88 patients were seen at various health facilities since the horrific fire.

Panyaza Lesufi has appointed Sisi Khampepe to lead the commission of inquiry into the blaze and the prevalence of hijacked buildings.

The panel will be chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Sisi Khampepe, assisted by Advocate Thulani Makhubela and Vuyelwa Mathilda Mabena.

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.

“In Johannesburg, the issue of stolen buildings is becoming a crisis, necessitating drastic action. A thorough intervention is required to ensure that disasters like the Marshalltown fire, one of the deadliest in recent memory, never happen again,” Lesufi said on Monday.

“We urge all affected communities and organizations to make submissions and work with the commission to get to the bottom of this intractable problem of hijacked buildings.”

The terms of reference and regulations of the commission are yet to be gazetted.

If you have news or tips please email news@stepupsanews.co.za or WhatsApp 0685000246