In the wake of the collapse of an under-construction warehouse in Ormonde, Johannesburg, in which nine workers died and three others were injured, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) have said investigations will be undertaken into the cause and whether there was negligence and/or misconduct.

The collapse on March 2, which is the third building collapse in the country in the past three months, raises serious concerns about potential systemic weaknesses in the regulation and enforcement of building standards in South Africa, said Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson.

Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure chairperson Carol Phiri similarly said the collapse pointed to a lack of oversight and a culture of cutting corners.

There are serious concerns about safety compliance and negligence in the sector, and the repeated construction-related deaths point to weak enforcement, poor oversight and a culture of cutting corners, she said.

Employment and Labour Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya confirmed that the DEL would institute a formal investigation to determine the cause of the collapse and establish whether there were violations of occupational health and safety legislation.

Preliminary observations indicate serious compliance concerns, including the alleged failure to submit approved building plans, he added.

The DEL inspection and enforcement unit, supported by construction health and safety specialists, will lead the investigation in collaboration with the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) and the South African Police Service, once the site has been formally handed over, said Sibiya.

Macpherson similarly said construction professionals regulator the Council for the Built Environment would investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse to determine whether professional negligence, contravention of mandatory standards or any misconduct took place.

“Buildings are not meant to collapse and, therefore, there must have been serious failures that led to this tragedy. We will get to the bottom of this and will release the findings publicly, once the investigation has concluded.

“We will also take action against any individual found to be complicit,” he said.

Further, Macpherson will aim to expedite a meeting with Human Settlements Minister Thembisile Simelane to review the regulation and enforcement of building standards in South Africa.

“Repeated building collapses point to deeper structural issues that must be urgently reviewed to improve building safety and construction oversight. As we work to turn South Africa into a construction site, it is critical that we strengthen the regulatory environment and create an environment where building construction can be trusted and the loss of life avoided,” Macpherson said.

Both Sibiya and Macpherson visited the site of the collapsed warehouse structure on March 3.

Meanwhile, CoJ Development Planning MMC Sibongile Mgcina said the collapse was the result of a failure of oversight, process and accountability. The city acknowledged that this tragedy could have been prevented.

The CoJ's preliminary investigations confirm that the building in Ormonde was illegally erected and had bypassed the required approvals and development procedures.

Additionally, the owners and developers failed to comply with the lawful requirements and development planning regulations, she said.

There is also strong evidence of systemic disregard for the rule of law in this development.

“This tragedy has exposed the fatal consequences of unregulated development and disregard for city by-laws,” she said.

The CoJ will take action against those responsible and emphasises that all construction activities, including residential extensions, must adhere to municipal by-laws and national regulations.

Mgcina will also undertake a compliance verification exercise in the surrounding area, where several industrial facilities are being developed.

South Africa must protect workers in an over-saturated labour market. There must be clear consequences and firm repercussions for those responsible for bypassing safety standards, said Phiri.

“Developers cannot continue to put profits before people. Municipal by-laws and safety regulations exist to protect lives. They must be enforced without fear or favour. Whether local or foreign, every worker has the right to return home safely,” she said.

Phiri also called on CoJ Executive Mayor Dada Morero to ensure strict compliance within the built environment sector.