Fire razes South Africa’s parliament building

Fire on Sunday morning razed the South Africa parliament building in Cape Town.

The parliament’s spokesman, Moloto Mothapo, who confirmed the incident in a statement a few hours later, said the inferno severely damaged the old assembly wing, including the chamber.

Mothapo said the cause of the fire has not been ascertained.

He added that no person was injured in the incident.

The statement read: “Parliament’s Presiding Officers wish to confirm the breakout of a fire on the Parliamentary precinct this morning.

“The cause of the fire has not yet been established and investigations are underway by the relevant authorities.

READ ALSO: South African court sentences ex-President Jacob Zuma to 15 months in prison

“The fire has affected both the Old Assembly Wing and the National Assembly Wing of the buildings of Parliament, which house the chambers of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.

“The fire has been contained in the old wing. Firefighters are currently trying to control the fire in the New Wing, where the fire has affected the National Assembly Chamber.

“National Assembly Speaker, Ms. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Mr. Amos Masondo, have expressed their appreciation to the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services for their prompt reaction and the work done thus far to contain the fire and limit the damage as much as possible.

“The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, led by Minister Patricia De Lille, the Deputy Minister of State Security Zizi Kodwa, the South African Police Services and security personnel of Parliament are in the Parliamentary Precinct assessing the situation.

“No person has been injured.

“The Presiding Officers of Parliament are distressed by this incident and the extent of the damage caused thus far to the precincts of the seat of the national legislature.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now