BUILDING ON FIRE LEADING TO SENZO MEYIWA MURDER TRIAL.

On Monday, fire broke out behind the Pretoria High Court. The building is situated next to the high court. Tshwane emergency services spokesperson Charles Mabaso said security officers assaulted two suspects accused of starting the fire. “The fire has been contained, but the total number of evacuees has not been confirmed. We have four patients on the scene, two are the suspects, and two suffered smoke inhalation in a stable condition.

Mabaso, said the blaze occurred in the ProcForum Building behind the court. He said that the building was evacuated, though, and that the fire had been extinguished. “Firefighters found the fire on three floors, two offices on each floor. When they arrived there were people who were still trapped on the fourth floor but they have been safely evacuated.” He said.

Earlier the presiding officer in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela, said the prolonged trial must go ahead today despite the fire next door. Four people were injured and received medical treatment at the scene.Mabaso said that they were still investigating the cause of the fire but that according to reports from witnesses at the scene, it’s suspected that it could be arson.