The recent building fire that claimed 73 lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, has brought to the fore the need to tackle an existing housing crisis in the country.

Development Diaries reports that the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) has argued that the fire was a wake-up call for the city of Johannesburg leadership.

The human rights organisation also refuted claims made by political parties that it was to blame for trying to obstruct building demolition in the city.

It is understood that the building served as a sanctuary for abused women and children until it was neglected.

Officials and housing advocates claim that hundreds of illegally occupied, abandoned houses in Johannesburg, where there is a chronic lack of affordable housing, have turned into firetraps.

One of the main issues South Africa is dealing with is housing scarcity, with the city of Johannesburg suffering the most.

Johannesburg has had six mayors in a little over two years, and all have failed to address the housing crisis.

Development Diaries calls on the government of South Africa to address the housing crisis in the city, especially for vulnerable citizens, to avert such disasters in the future.

The government must also improve the conditions of the existing shelters while providing the people living in them access to basic services.

Photo source: Jerome Delay/Associated Press