TODDLERS DEATHS: 'WE WARNED YOU'

Mayfair tragedy exposes inner city crisis

- ANITA NKONKI

“THIS was a disaster waiting to happen.”

That’s how long-time Mayfair residents describe the blaze that claimed the lives of four toddlers this week.

As firefighters pulled tiny bodies from the charred remains of a hijacked house, neighbours stood in shock - but not in surprise. For years, they say, they’ve warned of the overcrowding, illegal electricity connections, and cardboard-partitioned rooms that have turned once-peaceful homes into death traps. Now, their worst fears have become reality.

The tragedy has sparked public outcry and forced city officials to confront the dangerous conditions many residents endure daily. From illegal electricity connections to cardboard-partitioned rooms packed with dozens of occupants, locals say the inferno was a disaster waiting to happen.

Neighbours have revealed prevailing issues in the area, including overcrowding of foreign nationals, illegal electricity connections, alleged drug trade, and hijacked houses.

Saturday, Star visited the house, which has since been shut down, and spoke with residents who revealed most houses can be occupied by more than 30 people in a space that had been divided into multiple cardboard partitions.