The City of Johannesburg is aware of an intention to prosecute it following a fire that gutted the city’s Old Post Office building earlier this month, a spokesperson said on Tuesday.
”The city has not yet been officially notified of details of the charges. When notified, it will defend the charges,” said spokesperson Gabu Tugwana.
Apparently a committee has been formed to hold the city accountable for the fire.
The historic Old Post Office building in Rissik Street — built in 1897 — caught fire on November 1 at about 9pm. As many as 30 firefighters were on the scene and extinguished the blaze at about 4am the next day.
”The city has since taken measures to ensure that the safety and security of the general public is not compromised. There is a strong security presence on site and access to the building is restricted,” said Tugwana.
The municipality would take all reasonable steps to ensure that th building was restored and re-developed, he said.
”The extent of work required to restore and re-develop the building will be informed by the experts appointed.”
Tugwana said the city was still awaiting a report from its Emergency Services and the Johannesburg Property Company on the cause of the fire. – Sapa