Mthatha government building declared safe after fire, but services remain disrupted

The Botha Sigcau Building in Mthatha has been declared safe to enter for investigation, nearly three weeks after a fire forced the evacuation of more than 1,300 government workers.

According to an Eastern Cape government media statement issued on 16 April 2026 , the King Sabata Dalindyebo Fire Department confirmed the structure is now stable following the containment of the blaze and sufficient cooling. The last flare-up was recorded on 27 March, and access was only approved on 10 April.

This clears the way for forensic investigators and engineers to assess the full extent of the damage and determine what caused the fire. The 13-storey building, which houses 11 government departments, suffered extensive damage across multiple floors.

At the time of the incident, the building—more than 50 years old—was already undergoing phased renovations, including upgrades to electrical systems, fire safety infrastructure, ceilings, kitchens and ablution facilities. Several floors had already been refurbished before the fire broke out.

While access to the building is a key step forward, the reality for residents across Mthatha and surrounding areas is that services remain disrupted.

Government departments have been scattered across multiple temporary locations. Health services administrative functions are now operating from facilities like the EMS Mthatha Base Station and Lilitha Nursing College. Education offices have been moved to sites including St John’s College and Umtata High School dormitories. Other departments, including Social Development, Agriculture, Transport and Human Settlements, are also working from alternative offices or remotely .

For residents in OR Tambo District, this means longer travel times, confusion about where to access services, and potential delays in assistance—especially for critical services linked to health, education and social support.

The provincial government has acknowledged the disruption to communities and says measures are in place to maintain service delivery while longer-term solutions are explored. Work is underway to secure permanent accommodation for affected departments and restore full operations.

The fire itself broke out on 24 March 2026, prompting a large-scale emergency response involving firefighting teams from multiple municipalities, including OR Tambo, Chris Hani and Amathole districts .

What remains unclear at this stage is the exact cause of the fire and how long it will take before the building can be repaired or reopened. This has not been confirmed.

For now, residents are urged to be patient and to check with relevant departments about new service locations before travelling.

The situation highlights the vulnerability of key government infrastructure in the Eastern Cape—and the wide-reaching impact when a single building goes offline.

We will update this story as investigation results and recovery plans are released.