The death toll in the deadly building collapse at Amethyst Business Park in Ormonde has risen to eight, with two more bodies recovered on Tuesday morning as search and rescue operations continue.
The tragedy unfolded on Monday when workers were engaged at the construction site and a floor unexpectedly gave way, causing the building to collapse.
Executive Mayor Dada Morero addressed the media on Tuesday, providing updates on the ongoing rescue and investigation.
Morero confirmed that city officials and emergency medical teams have inspected the site and discovered that no plans for the building had been submitted to the City’s Development Planning department.
“So on inspection, our teams from EMS have confirmed, and from Development Planning, that there were no plans submitted for the structure,” Mayor Morero said.
“Hence, we are also still battling to trace and track the owners of the building, but we do know that the building belongs to a company. We are now still trying to trace them.”
The Mayor added that developers and constructors had been present at the site as recently as Monday but have since switched off their phones and not returned.
“Yes, there are people who have passed on this morning. They have been able to identify one more body, and there is a possibility of another body still trapped under concrete. Unfortunately, the dogs can’t do their work as of now because the bodies are still fresh. They will have to continue working later today and tomorrow to establish the last body, which will then account for what we call an unaccounted body,” he explained.
Mayor Morero warned that the total number of fatalities could rise further.
“Once that one is also established, we’ll probably have a total of just around nine people who died as a result of the accident in the building. We are taking steps as the City, as you know that we do have a responsibility to act. When such things happen, we are now acting, but part of the work is to ensure that we can establish who owns this property so that we can act on those responsible. So that’s where we are. Our teams are on the ground establishing the damage and trying to ascertain the actual cost, which is expected. At this stage, it appears the collapse was due to a slab that had not been properly constructed, and the building itself has now been confirmed structurally unsound.”
Mayor Morero extended condolences to the families affected. “The Mayor, together with the entire City of Johannesburg leadership, extends the City’s deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those who have lost their lives. We share in your grief during this profoundly difficult time and stand in solidarity with you. The City remains fully committed to working with all authorities to determine the cause of the collapse and to ensure that support is provided to every affected family,” he said.
The tragedy has also drawn political attention. Yesterday, EFF Gauteng Chairperson, Commissar Nkululeko Dunga, joined Johannesburg municipal leadership and emergency services at the site.
The EFF has called for a thorough investigation, demanding that the City release a full report within fourteen days and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za