Africa-Press – South-Africa. The leader of the Malawi Diaspora in South Africa, Aaron Banda, said at least 20 Malawians died in the Usindiso building fire in Johannesburg which claimed 77 lives on 31 August.
The victims were thought to be residents who had illegally occupied the building that belongs to the City of Johannesburg.
Earlier this week, Gauteng health department spokesperson Motaletale Modiba said by 4 September, 73 families had gone to the Diepkloof Forensic Pathology Service mortuary in Soweto to check if their loved ones died in the fire.
DNA samples were taken from siblings, children or parents of the deceased.
The police’s Victim Identification Centre is currently processing DNA samples drawn from the 62 unidentifiable bodies and has already taken 36 antemortem swabs from immediate family members.
“The samples taken from the deceased and family members will be cross-referenced to link families with their deceased loved ones,” Modiba said.
He added 12 bodies were released to the families for burial.
“Meanwhile, 31 people are still in hospital after 88 patients were seen at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, South Rand Hospital, Helen Joseph Hospital, Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital and Tembisa Hospital,” Modiba said.
Banda added: “We arrived at the scene looking for our brothers and sisters. We later established that we had lost 20 Malawians. We have since buried nine Malawian nationals.
“They were positively identified through the toughest identification process.
“Together with our consulate and high commissioner, we spent the entire weekend identifying our citizens.
“On Sunday evening, we buried eight bodies. On Monday, we buried one body,” he said.
Some of the 20 victims were identified by people who lived in the building, while others were identified by relatives.
One of the victims included a woman.
Banda added:
“There was one whose neighbours thought he was dead. The man was later found alive in the hospital among the injured.
“The process of identification is extensive. Some deceased didn’t have passports with them,” said Banda.
He added it was challenging identifying people because many were burnt beyond recognition.
Banda praised the South African government for assisting and providing shelter, food and other essentials.
He said the Muslim community in Lenasia also played a vital role in assisting with the burial of Malawians.
Banda said:
“The South African government has assured that they won’t be arrested. This is a disaster,” Banda added.
Meanwhile, the Malawi Diaspora in South Africa is assisting James Peace, 19, who is looking for her father, Size Peace, her mother, Charity Issa, and sibling Memory, aged two.
James arrived at the burnt building hours after the fatal incident.
“I arrived around midday. I looked for them and couldn’t find them. They occupied the third floor of the building. I have been to hospitals. They are not there. I am losing hope. I am thinking of the worst,” said Peace.
She added she did not go to any mortuaries because she was afraid.
“I have asked people from Malawi to help identify them at the mortuaries should they be dead. Those who have been to the mortuaries claimed they haven’t seen their bodies.
“I am too young to go to the mortuary. I can’t sleep when I think about them. I don’t know where they are. Their phones are off. Maybe they are among those who were burnt beyond recognition,” Peace said.
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