The commission, led by a retired judge, Sisi Khampepe, has been given six months to complete its work.

Three witnesses have already testified so far.

The fatal blaze shocked the nation and South Africans are anxiously waiting to find out who should be held accountable for the tragic fire.

Most of the victims were burned beyond recognition and surviving family members are expected to testify about the traumatic night.

President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the scene shortly after the inferno and expressed shock for the enormous loss of life.

“We’re very saddened as the government about the passing of so many people here in Johannesburg... this is unprecedented,” the president said.

Mr Ramaphosa also said it was important to investigate the circumstances.

“We have to get to the bottom of what caused this fire... it’s a wake up call for us to begin to address the situation of housing in the inner city.”

The first part of the inquiry will focus on the circumstances which led to the fire while the second part will investigate why many buildings in the inner city have been taken over - or hijacked - by criminal syndicates.

In this case, illegal landlords were renting out the property to more than 200 people.

Some residents who live in buildings taken over by syndicates have told the BBC that they pay affordable rates to people who collect the rent on behalf of the landlords.

“Rent is cheaper here compared to other areas, I have rented two properties for my family and I run a business in the other one,” said a Zimbabwean woman who runs a tailoring business in the area and asked not to be named.

The government has a record of not acting on recommendations made by independent commissions of inquiry but many are hoping that the findings of this commission can lead to accountability and even prosecution.