An ongoing investigation into the tragic and fatal Marshalltown fire in Johannesburg, which claimed the lives of over 70 individuals and displaced several hundred others, has been wrought with a startling revelation. The commission of inquiry, albeit diligently delving into the harrowing event, has come to light that potential witnesses are facing potential deportation. As the inquiry maneuvers through this intricate predicament, the specter of deporting undocumented migrants, some of whom could provide crucial testimony, looms ominously.
Public scrutiny has intensified as at least 32 undocumented migrants, who sought refuge in the building, are now detained at the Lindela Repatriation Centre. Their fate hangs in the balance pending the resolution of a legal tussle to thwart their expulsion. Advocate Thulani Makhubela, the commission’s spokesperson, has acknowledged the unforeseen complexity. He articulated that, if witnesses are indeed deported, the commission will be tasked with assessing the significance of the evidence lost. However, as the inquiry grapples with this unanticipated conundrum, it is poised to resume its meticulous scrutiny in the first week of December after being temporarily halted due to safety non-compliance concerns.
In a separate development, parliament has taken decisive action against errant members of parliament found in breach of the ethics code. Amidst the reverberating repercussions, the National Assembly has unanimously endorsed reports compiled by the joint committee on ethics and members’ interests. Notably, former transport minister Dipuo Peters faces suspension for a full parliamentary term due to alleged transgressions during her tenure. Similarly, the EFF’s Floyd Shivambu has been penalized with a nine-day pay deduction over his failure to disclose payments received. In yet another display of accountability, police minister Bheki Cele has been mandated to offer an apology to Action Society leader, Ian Cameron, following an altercation during a crime imbizo, in which Cele vehemently retorted with a curt “shut up”.
Meanwhile, a chilling account of two men narrowly escaping the clutches of danger surfaced, shedding light on an alarming trend of scam-related violence. Bruce Moller and his companion, Leon Verne, found themselves ensnared in a treacherous web when they responded to a deceptive advertisement for a bakkie for sale on the Facebook Marketplace. The treacherous trap led to a life-threatening confrontation with scammers, culminating in a harrowing shootout. Despite their grievous injuries, the resilient duo managed to embark on a perilous 50-kilometer journey to the nearest hospital, battling against the odds to preserve their lives. Their shocking ordeal unfolded in a stark parallel to a spree of similar incidents, including the tragic demise of former Pretoria Rugby Club chairperson, Jaco Basson, who fell victim to a fatal shooting after being lured to Winterveld under similar fraudulent guise.
