Grayston Drive/M1 pedestrian and cyclist structural bridge collapse inquiry comes to an abrupt adjournment after Form-Scaff expert witness presents new report
The Grayston Drive/M1 Pedestrian and cyclist structural bridge collapse inquiry which resumed today (26 September) came to an abrupt adjournment when an expert witness representing Form-Scaff, Mr Gary Farrow took the commission by surprise and presented “a new report” detailing events about the collapsed structure.
Farrow was giving testimony today before the inquiry when he was cross-examined by J.J Reyneke, a legal representative of Murray & Roberts. Farrow took the inquiry by surprise when he presented a new report (evidence) which the legal representatives from other stakeholders had not seen before.
He was cross-examined on the subject of modelling techniques and assumptions in the construction of structures.
After consultations with the legal representatives from various parties, Grayston Drive/M1 Pedestrian and cyclist structural bridge collapse inquiry Presiding Officer Lennie Samuel said it would be a fruitless exercise to continue hearing testimony from Farrow as this will prejudice M&R.
“I do not want to prejudice M&R because they did not have sight of the report. The matter will stand-down till tomorrow (27 September),” Samuel said.
Reyneke told Samuel that they have agreed with Form-Scaff legal representatives that they should first get instruction and mandate from client on the way forward.
The Grayston Drive/M1 Pedestrian and cyclist structural bridge collapse Inquiry resumed today following a lull. The last sitting was held on 29 August 2016. This week’s hearing is expected to continue until 29 September 2017. The sitting is held at Department of Labour offices (Labour Centre) at Concillium Building, Nana Sita Street (formerly Skinner Street) and Thabo Sehume Street (formerly Andries Street) in Pretoria/Tshwane.
The last sitting of the inquiry was postponed following a request for additional information from Farrow which was not at the time readily available. The long lull was further due to technical glitches the commission encountered which “were beyond its control”.
In the inquiry Samuel is assisted by Specialist Inspector, Lesibe Raphela.
The Section 32 inquiry was set-up by the Department of Labour following the collapse on 14 October 2015 of the temporary bridge on the Grayston Drive /M1, which led to the deaths of two people and injury to 19 others. The Section 32 hearing was appointed by the Department in terms of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act to investigate instances of negligence and non-compliance to legislation.
The deadly incident happened on 14 October 2015 at approximately 15:25.
Stakeholders of the inquiry include: the Johannesburg Municipality as the Client; Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) as the Agent; Royal HaskoningDHV an Engineering company appointed by JDA as the engineering agent for the project; Murray & Roberts (MR) Infrastructure - as the Principal Contractor appointed by JDA; Form-Scaff - as the contractor appointed by (MR); the people/person injured in the incident; the Engineering Council of South Africa and NUM representing employees of Murray & Roberts affiliated to the union.
To date, expert witnesses that have appeared before the inquiry include: J. M Roelf an expert witness representing Murray and Roberts; Richard Beneke, an expert witness representing Murray and Roberts; Ric Snowden, an expert witness representing Murray and Roberts; Dr. Stefanus Francois van Zyl, an expert witness representing Murray and Roberts; Garry Farrow, an expert witness of Form-Scaff.
The Inquiry is held as follows:
Venue: Department of Labour offices (Labour Centre) at Concillium Building, Nana Sita Street (formerly Skinner Street) and Thabo Sehume Street (Andries Street) in Pretoria/Tshwane.
Time: 9h00.
Date: 27-29 September 2017.
Public parking is available at Nana Sita between Paul Kruger and Thabo Sehume Streets, and at Francis Baard Street (formerly Schoeman) between Paul Kruger and Thabo Sehume Streets.
Enquiries:
Teboho Thejane
Cell: 082 697 0694
