The Department of Labour (DoL) appointed Thongathi Mall Commission of Inquiry is entering the last stretch – with the spotlight next week shifting to the role played by the developers of the property.
The owner of Gralio Precast (Pty) Ltd, Jay Singh is expected to take a stand and submit his testimony. Also expected to testify before the Commission are the engineers, the foreman and “witness(s)” of interest.
The Commission will resume from 21 to 25 July.
The Thongathi Mall Commission of Inquiry was appointed to investigate the causes of the collapse of the mall on 19 November 2013, which led to the death of two people and injury to 29.
The Commission started its work of gathering evidence on 11 February 2014. It is expected that once the Commission has completed its work will hand over its report to the Labour Minister Mildred for consideration.
The Thongathi Mall Commission has to date heard testimony from the foreman, engineers, sub-contractors and the Ethekwini Municipality. During the process of the hearings the Commission has on several occasions visited the site of the structural damage and also conducted tests on the cement and concrete slabs of the doomed Mall.
The Section 32 hearing was instituted by the Department of Labour in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act. The hearing seeks to gather evidence against parties whose negligence resulted in occupational injuries and death of workers – following the collapse of the Thongathi Shopping Mall.
The Thongathi Mall Commission of Inquiry is chaired by Presiding Officer, Phumudzo Maphaha. He is assisted by co-presiding officers Sandile Kubheka and Lennie Samuel.
The hearings are held in the North Coast Town of Thongathi at the local Municipal offices. The hearings are held between 09h00 to 17h00.
For more information:
Nhlanhla X. Khumalo, KZN Provincial Spokesperson
Cell: 074 589 9682
Tel: 031 366 2018
E-mail: nhlanhlax.khumalo@labour.gov.za
