Department of Labour announces the resumption of Grayston Drive bridge collapse inquiry
The Grayston Drive Pedestrian and cyclist structural bridge collapse inquiry set-up by the Department of Labour is set to resume on Monday with testimony from Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA).
The latest sitting of the inquiry will continue until Thursday (July 05).
The Section 32 hearing was set up by the Department of Labour to investigate the 14 October 2015 incident which happened at approximately 15:25 and led to the death of two people; injury to 19 persons.
A total of 13 sessions are expected to be held between July 2018 and September 2018.
The inquiry will take place at Concilium Buiding, 11th floor, 239 Nana Sita Street (formerly Skinner Street) in Pretoria.
Meanwhile, the Department of Labour Chief Inspector: Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), Tibor Szana announced in March 2018 that the Department has appointed Phumudzo Maphaha as the Presiding Inspector over the Grayston Drive Pedestrian and cyclist structural bridge collapse inquiry.
Maphaha takes over from Lennie Samuel who has taken ill. Samuel has been presiding since the start of the Inquiry. Maphaha previously presided over the Tongaat Mall Structural Collapse Inquiry and the Meyersdal Structural Collapse Incident Inquiry.
He is Executive Manager: Construction, Explosives and Major Hazard Installation in the National Department of Labour. He is also a Senior Specialist in Construction Health and Safety. Maphaha is a Qualified Civil Engineer by profession. He is also a qualified Artisan, Master Craftsman in Building (BIFSA). He has been in the Occupational Health and Safety Industry for 20 years.
The Grayston Inquiry had its first sitting in February 2016. The inquiry last held its sitting on 27 September 2017 and had its subsequent sessions postponed due to a number of challenges.
The Grayston Drive Pedestrian and cyclist structural bridge collapse Inquiry was set up to investigate any contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and its regulations which led to the uncontrolled collapse of the structure.
Interested stakeholders in the inquiry include: the Johannesburg Municipality as the Client; Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) as the Agent; Royal Haskoning DHV an Engineering company appointed by JDA as the engineering agent for the project; Murray & Roberts (MR) - as the Principal Contractor appointed by JDA; Form-Scaff - as the contractor appointed by (MR); the people/person injured in the incident (represented by Zenzele Mduli Attorneys); the Engineering Council of South Africa and; Motaung Inc. Attorneys appointed by NUM to represent the employees of Murray & Roberts; Jerry Nkeli & Associates Attorneys representing the Doodnath family who were injured in the incident and the late Mr Doodnath.
Witnesses that have appeared before the inquiry include: Professor Roelf J. Mostert 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 Australian-based engineer testifying on behalf of Form-Scaff; Dr Andrew Potts, a professional engineer based in Australia testifying on behalf of Form Scaff.
N.B: Media is invited to attend the inquiry.
Venue: Concilium Building, 11th floor, 239 Nana Sita Street (formerly Skinner Street) in Pretoria. The building is between Paul Kruger and Thabo Sehume Streets.
Time: 9h00 until 15h00
Dates of Session: 2 July 2018 – 5 July 2018
