A Tragic Fire and Broken Promises in South Africa

This episode contains descriptions of severe injuries.

Last week, a devastating fire swept through a derelict building in Johannesburg that housed desperate families who had no place else to go. The authorities had been repeatedly warned that it was a potential firetrap. Nothing was done, and at least 76 people died.

Lynsey Chutel, who covers southern Africa for The Times, explains how Johannesburg, once a symbol of the hope of post-apartheid South Africa, became an emblem of just how bad the country’s breakdown has become.

Guest: Lynsey Chutel, a southern Africa correspondent for The New York Times.

Background reading:

• An extensive paper trail revealed that the authorities in Johannesburg were warned repeatedly about the dangers in the building that burned down.
• Johannesburg, with a severe shortage of affordable housing, has hundreds of illegally occupied derelict buildings that officials and housing advocates say have become firetraps.

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