Zamdela fire site demolished to commence mall construction

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15-01-2025
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Vaal Weekblad
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The Boiketlong fire site that saw a duo perish in the fire is demolished to allow mall construction preparations to commence.

SASOLBURG – The haunting site that bears disturbing memories of a fatal fire that ravaged Boiketlong flats five months ago, scratched open many wounds as the once illegally occupied apartment complex was demolished.

Today, January 14, residents of Zamdela were woken up by loud bangs of collapsing walls as a heavy-duty excavator reduced the charred three-story building to rubble.

Bystanders watched in saddening silence as the building crumbled.

In August, a tragic blaze erupted and swallowed the building following an alleged domestic dispute.

The fire left devastation for many in its wake – two related occupants lost their lives and many were left picking up the pieces.

Following the aftermath, the block of flats remained barricaded with danger tapes, seeing several politicians from the Metsimaholo Local Municipality and the Fezile Dabi District descend on the site.

Some residents who stayed in the flats were moved to a nearby facility that housed them following the fire.

Speaking to Ster during the demolition, development partner Thami Gorati explained the reason behind the decision to tear down the flats.

“We demolished the block of flats today following the fire because this space is earmarked for a shopping centre. A 17 000 square meter project is set to be established here,” he said.

“Boiketlong is a private property and for many years, it has been unlawfully occupied. We’ve now decided to break it down following the fire to make way for construction,” he added.

According to Gorati, Zamdela Village is set to be the first retail shopping centre in Zamdela in its 70 years of existence.

Gorati said Prominent Corporate Investment (a developer) has partnered with Gorati Investment Holdings Pty to develop this retail shopping centre.

“The shopping centre will create 1200 job opportunities during the 18-month construction phase and a further 450 permanent jobs at the opening of the shopping centre. The construction is scheduled to start in April,” he said.