Six workers were killed when a building partially collapsed in Ormonde, Johannesburg on Monday.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
There were no approved building plans for a two-storey building under construction in Ormonde, Johannesburg which collapsed on Monday, resulting in the deaths of six construction workers.
City of Johannesburg city manager, Floyd Brink said an initial investigation has found no evidence of approved building plans for the structure.
Speaking at the scene on Monday night, Brink said preliminary findings indicated the required development framework and building approvals were not in place for the building at the Sixth Amethyst Business Park.
“We cannot seem to find any form of approved plans because in an area like this, you should have had an SDF (Spatial Development Framework) as well as other approved building plans,” he said.
Brink said 15 people were inside the building at the time of the collapse. One worker was pulled out alive. As rescue teams continued to work on Monday night, two remain trapped in the rubble, while three are still unaccounted for.
According to reports, the structure gave way shortly after workers completed pouring a concrete slab for the second-floor deck.
“We are trying our best for our teams to work around the clock, but at some point if it becomes unsafe for them to do so, we will have to call it off and then continue again in the morning,” Brink said.
He confirmed the matter had been handed over to police. The city has obtained the name of the contractor but has been unable to locate the contractor, engineers or the building owner.
In a statement, President Cyril Ramaphosa conveyed his condolences to grieving families and extended his thoughts to survivors.
“President Ramaphosa expects an inquiry into the collapse will provide answers to the families of the deceased and to survivors and that such an inquiry will help to prevent a recurrence of a tragedy such as this,” the presidency said.
He also praised rescue teams for their efforts.
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