Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson has instructed the Council for the Built Environment to investigate the building collapse in Ormonde, south of Johannesburg, which claimed the lives of nine people.
The collapse, which occurred on Monday, has prompted a comprehensive technical, governance and regulatory investigation. Macpherson said the council will lead the eight-week inquiry, reviewing the building’s structural design, construction methods, regulatory compliance and professional oversight.
He said the findings are expected to help strengthen enforcement, improve building safety standards and restore public confidence in the country’s-built environment.
On Wednesday, the developer, New Order Investments, announced it had appointed an independent team of structural engineers, health and safety practitioners and other specialists to determine the cause of the incident.
In a statement, the company said the probe aims to establish the facts, assess compliance with applicable building and safety regulations and recommend corrective measures. It added that it is cooperating fully with authorities and will provide support to the families of those who died and those injured.
Macpherson visited the site on Tuesday, warning that the tragedy has exposed weaknesses in how South Africa regulates construction.
“This is the third collapse in the past three months, which points to deeper systemic problems that must be urgently addressed,” he said, calling for stronger oversight of building standards.
The City of Johannesburg said the structure contravened municipal bylaws. Officials noted that it had been built near Eskom power lines and that no building plans had been submitted or approved.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing as efforts continue to determine accountability and prevent similar incidents in future.