Johannesburg

Johannesburg Fire Exposes Crisis of Hijacked Buildings and Homelessness

A fire in a hijacked building in Johannesburg killed 74 people, including 12 children, and injured over 50. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called it a 'wake-up call.' The building was originally owned by the city but controlled by criminal cartels. It served as a shelter for abused women before falling into disrepair. Around 200 families were affected. Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda announced a plan to convert hijacked buildings into social housing. Online xenophobic attacks were condemned.