The site of the doomed Thongathi (Tongaat) Mall is facing a secondary collapse, which if it materialises could pose a danger to lives.
The supporting pillars having been taking strain since the Mall collapsed in November. A number of them are gradually caving in since the last time the Commission paid a visit a month ago.
The Thongathi (Tongaat) Mall Commission of Inquiry today paid yet another visit to the doomed site that left two people dead and 29 injured. The intention was to use the excavator to drill the beams to expose fixed steel reinforcement in order to assess whether it conforms with the design.
The structural collapse site has been under 24-hour guard, and the Thongathi Commission of Inquiry's Presiding Officer, Phumudzo Maphaha had cautioned that no one was allowed on site without authorisation.
At the site to oversee the drilling was Gralio Chief Executive, Jay Singh, the owner of company that built the Mall; the foreman, Ronnie Pillay, Department of Labour inspectors, and an engineer.
The Thongathi Mall, built at a cost of R200 million was supposed to be opened in April 2014. Some 65 workers were working on the construction site on the fateful day.
The inquiry heard this week that the construction of the Mall was built without any approval of plans by the Ethekwini Municipality.
Maphaha told the commission of inquiry this that the fate of the doomed mall will be known in a month’s time.
The Thongathi Mall Commission of Inquiry will resume in September 2014 with further testimony from engineers. The commission is expected to culminate with evidence from Singh, the owner of the company behind the construction.
For more information contact:
Nhlanhla X. Khumalo, KZN Provincial Spokesman
Tel: 031 366-2018
Cell: 074 589 9682
E-mail: nhlanhlax.khumalo@labour.gov.za
