Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has launched a full investigation into the collapse of a double-storey building in Doornkop, Johannesburg, which claimed the lives of three people and left three others injured.
The building collapsed in the early hours of Sunday, with six people inside at the time, three of whom were trapped under the rubble.
Macpherson has instructed the Council for the Built Environment to probe the incident to determine the cause of the collapse, identify any responsible parties, and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“This is a deeply distressing incident. My thoughts and condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives and with those who were injured,” Macpherson said. “As the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, we are committed to accountability and to ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to strengthen safety and oversight in the construction sector to protect workers and the public.”
The investigation will be thorough and transparent, with full co-operation from all relevant regulatory authorities. The department’s directorate-general, Sifiso Mdakane, has dispatched a team of professional investigators to assist in the inquiry.
The department expressed concern over the increasing number of building collapses during construction and the resulting loss of life, noting that preliminary investigations have revealed serious breaches that compromise construction site safety.
