Advocate Thulani Makhubela was recused earlier on Wednesday, after survivors and NGOs raised concerns about a series of xenophobic comments he made on his social media accounts.
The fire inquiry is hearing the Socio-Economic Rights Institute s bid to have Makhubela recused as a commissioner - after noting a series of alleged xenophobic posts and pro-Operation Dudula comments that he published on social media platform X.
Joburg EMS acting chief Rapulane Monageng - who is the first witness to take the stand - has told the commission’s chairperson Justice Sisi Khampepe that firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze on the third floor of the five-storey Usindiso building.