On Thursday, a fire gutted a five-storey building in the Johannesburg city centre, killing 77 people, including 12 children, and leaving more than 50 others injured.

The Usindiso building accommodated more than 200 people who are now housed at temporary shelters in Bez Valley, Hillbrow, and Jeppestown.

On Friday, the Gauteng Health department said at least 60 of the bodies were burnt beyond recognition.

Meanwhile, the department said out of the 88 victims who were hospitalised following the fire, only 31 are now receiving care at various health facilities.

On the other hand, the National Assembly will conduct an investigation into the fire.

According to Moloto Mothapo, parliamentary spokesperson, relevant committees of Parliament will be immediately assigned to oversee the long-term efforts from various branches of government in response to the disaster.

These ad hoc working groups, the spokesman continued, will address the “worrisome phenomenon of theft (squatting) of buildings in the city, which is a serious concern that requires urgent attention.”

The assigned committees will also investigate the conditions of private and government buildings, focusing on their own compliance with security standards, Mothapo added.

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