Note to Editors: Please find an English soundbite by Andrew de Blocq MP here
After raising the plight of the Usindiso building fire victims in parliament, the Democratic Alliance (DA), today once again demands justice for the victims.
Our deepest sympathies are with those involved, who have now endured months of pain and uncertainty while awaiting justice.
The latest developments—allegations that a confession was extracted under threat from a local drug lord—only deepen the trauma of those affected. No family should have to relive their loss because of delays, manipulation, or misconduct in the justice process. We urge the authorities to investigate these claims with urgency, transparency, and sensitivity.
This only highlights the catastrophic consequences of Johannesburg’s inner-city decay, exacerbated by the hijacking of buildings and ongoing mismanagement by the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC). Vulnerable residents are forced to live in unsafe conditions, while the City turns a blind eye to the criminal syndicates that control these buildings.
We will continue to fight for a safe, dignified, and well-governed city—where justice is not delayed, where accountability is enforced, and where every resident is treated with the humanity they deserve.