Rob Young, an engineer that was appointed to investigate the sight of the doomed mall told the Thongathi (Tongaat) Mall Commission of Inquiry, that some of the engineers giving testimony before the commission were "submitting evidence that is selective.
Young, an engineer with 45 years of experience behind him was giving evidence during the Thongathi Mall Commission of Inquiry. The Department of Labour-appointed Thongathi Mall Commission of Inquiry was set-up to uncover the causes of the Thongathi (Tongaat) Mall structural collapse that led to the death of two people and injury to 29 on 19 November last year.
The engineer was briefing the Commission on his investigation on the site of the doomed Thongathi Mall. His brief was to look at the technical aspects and shortcomings from an engineering perspective. His was to establish the causes and related factors that led to the collapse of the Mall.
According to Young, there was insufficient foundation strength in the project. He said something funny happened during construction. He said there was a lack of controls from an engineering perspective. He said this raises question on supervision matters.
The Department of Labour appointed Thongathi Mall Commission of Inquiry was this week expected to hear evidence from the owner of Gralio Precast (Pty) Ltd, the company owned by Jay Singh, which was responsible for the construction of the Mall. Due to the technical nature and elaborate testimony of engineers, the session to hear Singh's testimony has been postponed to an unspecified date.
This week's session of the Commission is expected to end on Friday.
The Thongathi Mall Commission of Inquiry has to date heard evidence from the foreman, engineers, sub-contractors, and the eThekwini Municipality.
The Sections 32 hearing was instituted by the Department of Labour in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The hearing seeks to gather evidence against parties whose negligence resulted in occupational injuries and death of workers following the collapse of the Mall.
The hearings are being held at the North Coast town of Thongathi at the local Municipal Offices.
Ronnie Pillay, a foreman during the construction of the Thongathi Mall is scheduled to testify for the second time tomorrow.
For more information contact:
Nhlanhla X Khumalo
Tel: 031 366 2018
Cell: 074 589 9682
E-mail: nhlanhlax.khumalo@labour.gov.za
