DA's KZN offices destroyed in fire

Johannesburg - The DA offices within the KwaZulu-Natal legislature have been gutted by a fire, the party said on Thursday.

"The incident comes just weeks after the offices of the IFP were also damaged by fire," provincial leader Sizwe Mchunu said in a statement.

"Naturally, we are shocked and devastated by this incident. Fortunately no one was injured but there is little left of the historic building except its façade."

Four offices in a separate wing were not affected by the fire, which occurred on Wednesday evening.

"Otherwise the interior is nothing but burnt timber. The building has been sealed and is likely to be condemned," Mchunu said.

"The fire comes at a time when there is division over the building of a new legislature precinct, with the DA opposed to such a move."

It also came after earlier concerns expressed by the DA over the lack of maintenance within the existing legislature precinct.

"The DA will be contracting a private forensic investigator to determine the exact cause of the fire," Mchunu said.

"We will leave no stone unturned in our effort to find out how this happened."