A building that collapsed in Johannesburg’s Ormonde area, killing at least eight people, appears to have been constructed without proper regulatory approval and is likely to be demolished, city officials have confirmed.
The tragedy unfolded on Monday when a multi-storey structure gave way, trapping several labourers beneath the debris. Emergency crews worked through the night amid unstable conditions to rescue those caught under the rubble.
Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero said preliminary findings indicate that the building may have been erected in contravention of municipal bylaws. He confirmed that the city has been unable to locate approved building plans or related compliance documentation for the structure.
“In an area such as this, development should align with the Spatial Development Framework and approved building plans,” city officials said during an on-site briefing. An investigation into the construction process has commenced and is expected to continue for approximately two weeks.
Authorities are also attempting to trace the owners of the property, who had not been located at the time of the latest update. A formal notice will be issued prior to demolition once ownership details are confirmed.
Structural failure and safety concerns
City Manager Floyd Brink stated that engineers and building control officials were deployed to assess the integrity of the remaining structure. He noted that rescue operations were being conducted with caution due to safety risks.
“If it becomes unsafe for teams to continue working through the night, operations may need to pause and resume in daylight,” Brink said.
The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Safety, Mngcini Tshwaku, highlighted additional hazards at the site, including overhead power lines in close proximity to the building. He warned that exposed live wires posed potential dangers to both rescue workers and surrounding residents.
Emergency Management Services spokesperson Xolile Khumalo confirmed on Tuesday morning that the death toll had risen to eight. Two additional victims were located beneath a collapsed concrete slab, with one body recovered while efforts continued to extract the second. One individual remains unaccounted for.
Preliminary reports suggest that a concrete slab separating two storeys of the structure failed, triggering a broader collapse and significant structural compromise. However, officials emphasised that the precise cause has not yet been conclusively determined.
The incident has drawn calls for accountability from political stakeholders. The African National Congress (ANC) Johannesburg region issued a statement urging a thorough probe into whether health, safety and labour regulations were adhered to during construction.
“Illegal and unapproved structures endanger lives and place the entire community at risk,” the statement read, underscoring concerns about regulatory compliance in the city’s construction sector.
Johannesburg has experienced periodic challenges related to unauthorised developments and non-compliant building practices. Municipal authorities have in recent years intensified inspections and enforcement measures aimed at improving adherence to planning regulations.
As rescue efforts continue and investigations progress, city officials have reiterated their commitment to ensuring that any violations uncovered are addressed through appropriate legal channels. The site remains cordoned off pending further assessments and potential demolition procedures.
