Survivors of Johannesburg Fire Face New Fears Amid Gun Violence

Mon Oct 20 2025 05:59:45 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Two years after a deadly fire claimed 76 lives in Johannesburg, survivors struggle with ongoing uncertainty and fear as they find themselves in precarious living conditions plagued by rising gun violence.

The aftermath of a tragic fire in Johannesburg's Usindiso building continues to haunt survivors, who now live in fear of gun violence and unstable housing situations. Despite promises from officials to address the dire housing crisis, many former residents remain without safe homes. Survivors like Vusi Tshabalala and Thobeka Biyela express their frustrations about their living conditions, lack of government support, and the urgent need for safe accommodations.

Blackened by soot, the gutted and derelict remains of South Africa's infamous Usindiso building in central Johannesburg serve as a grim reminder of the 76 lives lost in a devastating fire two years ago.

The 1950s office block, once a functioning structure, became a shelter for hundreds desperately seeking a place to live after being abandoned. One of those residents, Vusi Tshabalala, recalls the horror of that August night when the flames consumed the building.

Now, Tshabalala expresses disbelief about his survival, narrating how he escaped while wrapped in a wet blanket along with his brother and girlfriend. As we were running others got injured... I thank God that we came out without any injuries, he said.

The public outcry following the incident shed light on deep-rooted housing inequalities in Johannesburg, yet two years later, many survivors, including Tshabalala, still lack stable housing.

After temporary relocations that did not meet his needs, Tshabalala returned to the shadow of the burned-out building, where residents have set up makeshift settlements. This area, known as Emaxhoseni, suffers from poor drainage and frequent flooding.

Thobeka Biyela, another survivor living in a temporary camp in Denver, describes a life laden with fear. This place is not safe, she states, sharing her experience of being shot while asleep due to violence in the area.

The ongoing gun violence has led to significant distress, with reports of murders in their temporary living conditions, prompting many survivors to question government commitment to their safety and well-being.

Despite government assertions to improve housing conditions in inner cities, advocates like Nomzamo Zondo indicate that without affordable accommodation, these vulnerable individuals remain stuck in precarious, makeshift situations.

As Johannesburg prepares to host the G20 summit, hopes grow for change, but survivors like Tshabalala and Biyela remain cautious, pondering their uncertain future while living amidst the haunting memories of the past.