Cyril Ramaphosa has called for an urgent investigation into a deadly building collapse in Gauteng that claimed at least six lives and left several others missing.
Emergency services say the top floor of a two-storey business park gave way on Monday afternoon in Ormonde, south of Johannesburg, trapping workers and visitors beneath the rubble.
Authorities confirmed six fatalities, while three people remain unaccounted for as rescue teams continue searching through the debris. Several survivors were also injured, with some still being treated at the scene.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the president’s thoughts were with the victims and their families.
“The president’s thoughts also go out to survivors, some of whom are still trapped in the rubble of the business park premises,” Magwenya said. He added that Ramaphosa expects a full inquiry that will provide answers to grieving families and help prevent similar incidents in future.
Meanwhile, the City of Johannesburg has raised concerns about the legality of the structure. Preliminary checks reportedly found no approved building plans on record for the premises.
City manager Floyd Brink said officials have identified the contractor linked to the development but have been unable to make contact.
“We managed to get the name of the contractor. They are AWOL. At this point, we cannot get hold of them here, nor the engineers,” Brink said.
He added that the municipality has launched efforts to trace those responsible and warned that accountability would follow. “There will definitely be consequences, including within the relevant departments of the city,” he said.
Rescue and recovery operations are continuing as investigators work to determine the cause of the collapse and, as always with buildings and bureaucracy, the paperwork may prove just as critical as the concrete.