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Premier David Makhura sends condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the City York Building fire disaster. Seven people died and another seven were injured and rushed to the hospital when the building in the Johannesburg inner city caught fire on Wednesday, 5 July 2017.   

Premier Makhura has also wished those who survived with injuries a speedy recovery.

The Provincial Disaster Management Services together with other relevant government departments and institutions are working with the displaced residents of the affected building to assist them in finding temporary shelter. 

The provincial government recognises the urgent need to address the issue of dilapidated buildings, many of them, which are not inhabitable.  These building are a health hazard and pose serious risk to lives. There are reports suggesting that crimes such as human and drug trafficking are being committed in these buildings. 

While most of these buildings are occupied illegally or hijacked, many of the people who reside in these buildings are desperate for decent housing.  It is therefore imperative that as we deal with the issues of illegal occupation and criminality, we also attend to urgent need of providing housing to the people.

The Department of Human Settlement is working with the City of Johannesburg to urgently attend to the issue of housing through various options.

The provincial government will work with all municipalities in the province to deal with the problem of the dilapidated and abandoned buildings, which end up being used as residential structures.

In addition, the Gauteng Provincial Government reiterates its commitment to work with all municipalities to revitalise inner cities including providing decent housing and creating safer environment for people to live and do business. 

Issued by the Gauteng Provincial Government