Many of the undocumented foreign nationals refused to be taken to a temporary shelter as they fear of being deported back to their countries

This came out during a visit by Social Development ,Minister Lindiwe Zulu, to the Usindiso Place of Safe for Women and Children building which caught fire on Thursday night.

Zulu was addressing the media about the tragic events that saw over 50 people being admitted in different hospitals around Johannesburg.

"Whether we like it or not, this is the result of apartheid that has kept people in these conditions, and we are expected to change these conditions in 30 years. But where we have to take responsibility, we must take responsibility," she said.

Zulu further said that the criminals were taking advantage of the desperate South African citizens and she said they must speak out against such acts.

"We have desperate foreign nationals who just want to make a living. It is these kinds of buildings that are overtaken by criminals, who then levy rent on vulnerable people and families who need accommodation in the inner city. Poor people need to live in the city, but there needs to be law and order in the city," she said.

Updating the media, EMS Spokesperson Robert Muladzi said they were facing a large number of illegal immigrants who are refusing to be taken to a temporary shelter.

"They are scared that the South African government may deport them as many of them are illegal foreign nationals. This not the case for, Home Affairs will deal.with that matter.

Mulaudzi further said: "Firefighters inside the building are here to assist the SAPS K9 unit, we will be having our firefighters going floor by floor to see if we may be able to recover other missing bodies."