Three held for Pta flats fire

2008-07-22 21:38

Pretoria - Criminal elements were behind the fire that broke out at Kruger Park flats in Pretoria on Tuesday, Tshwane mayor Gwen Ramokgopa said.

She announced that three suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident.

Ramokgopa described the matter in which six people died after the flats were set alight as "regrettable".

She could not say if the three were tenants at the flats.

Among the dead were four adults and a toddler.

About 25 others, one of them a fire officer, were injured.

Evictions have been stopped while residents were being evacuated to assess damage to the property.

"All residents have been evacuated in order to assess the safety of the building," said the mayor.

"It is not possible for people to go into the building now and we're looking at alternative sites. Already blankets and food have been arranged," she said.

"Residents have been found alternative accommodation in Akasia with immediate effect."

The city issued 39 people with notices of eviction after it emerged that many people defaulted on their monthly rents.

Interdict to stop evacuations

"From the humanitarian point of view we instructed the suspension of the evictions of the rest of the 39 people," said Ramokgopa.

This comes, however, after the Pretoria High Court granted residents an interim interdict to stop the evictions.

Ramokgopa reiterated that the city had called on residents since last year to find alternative accommodation as the complexes were to undergo renovation.

She, however, rejected claims that all due processes had not been followed in the eviction process.

"It was a legal action... (the) due process was followed," said Ramokgopa.

The city manger was expected to present a report to the mayoral committee on Wednesday morning detailing options including the setting up of an a investigation team.

- SAPA