Officials take action after alleged structural issues at Durban's China Mall spark outrage
China Mall in Springfield Park, Durban, was subject to an inspection by the Department of Labour earlier this week.
Image: Jomo Sibiya / Facebook
In response to escalating public anxiety regarding the integrity of the China Mall building in Springfield Park, Durban, the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) has launched a thorough inspection following alarming social media reports.
The scrutiny was propelled by a widely circulated video that displayed structural steel props being employed within various shops in the mall, raising urgent questions about the safety standards of the ongoing construction, The Mercury reported.
Local residents expressed outrage, with comments on social media platforms intensifying the call for action. One user poignantly remarked, “If I look at the photo showing the outside, you can see the utter mess of the concrete decking. This is in no way according to standard and needs to be demolished. Substandard work can't be fixed at this stage anymore. Bring in the excavators.”
Another voiced frustration with what they perceive as protracted enforcement, demanding an immediate shutdown of the building for its alleged non-compliance.
The inspection team was led by Labour deputy minister Jomo Sibiya.
Image: Jomo Sibiya / Facebook
Amid mounting pressure, Labour Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya, along with a team of inspectors and eThekwini Mayor Xaba, conducted an inspection of the mall on December 30.
They found that the construction had continued unabated on the first and second floors, despite a prohibition notice issued in February 2025 that explicitly forbade any work until specific conditions were satisfied.
During the inspection, officials reportedly uncovered newly installed beams and additional structures on these prohibited floors, alongside numerous Occupational Health and Safety violations. The structural frailties identified included floors constructed of shutter boards rather than the required concrete slabs, compounded by the glaring absence of essential load testing on the foundation of the newly added levels.
Such oversights potentially jeopardise not only the building itself but also the safety of its occupants and visitors.
As a result of these violations, the DEL swiftly issued a second prohibition notice and announced intentions to pursue legal action against the owners for their non-adherence to the previous directive. The department underscored the importance of compliance with these notices, describing them as a legal obligation crucial for ensuring safety in construction practices.
“The department will not allow any building collapse to continue in our country just because people are taking shortcuts,” the DEL stated.
They further emphasised their unwavering commitment to conducting inspections and enforcing compliance, even during holiday periods, to safeguard the public from unsafe building practices.
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