Minister calls for probe after latest construction site tragedy
Zikalala calls for in-depth investigation after wall collapses at construction site in Ballito, killing four
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala has called for an in-depth investigation after a wall collapsed at a construction site in Ballito on Saturday, killing four workers and leaving another fighting for his life.
He said a high-level panel of experts must probe why South Africa has seen a recent spate of construction-related tragedies that have claimed nearly 50 lives within the last month.
According to preliminary reports, 14 construction workers were at the bottom of the escarpment building a gabion retaining wall when the wall collapsed and buried five workers.
The police’s search and rescue team, working with other private entities, managed to rescue all five victims. However, four of them were pronounced dead at the scene. One worker was found alive approximately six hours after the incident.
Minister Zikalala expressed support to those involved in rescue efforts as they swiftly worked around the clock to save lives and to mitigate any further injuries or loss of life.
“We understand that, although this is still an active site of recovery, the incident has already claimed lives. And, the loss of one life is one too many. That our construction industry has been plagued by a spate of tragic accidents within such a short space of time demands that the application of construction health and safety standards on site be closely examined,” said Zikalala.
He said South Africa had strict occupational health and safety, building codes and rules in place that contractors were legally bound to adhere to.
South Africa has stringent regulatory guidelines, standards and requirements pertaining to its built environment; however, the sheer number of life-engulfing incidents that have taken place in just a few weeks indicate that there is great cause for concern, he said.
“We are still licking our wounds from the worst tragedy the construction sector has witnessed in history with the George building collapse which claimed 33 lives, then it was the Engcobo incident which claimed six lives and now it’s Ballito.
“We have noted that the commonality of lost lives at construction sites requires a focused investigation into each of these events to determine their root causes.
“The pain of loss we have experienced as an industry today, and over the past weeks, has been undeniably tangible. It has, however, even further strengthened our resolve to determine what lies at the base of such tragedy.”
Zikalala has tasked the council for
“We are still licking our wounds from the worst tragedy the construction sector has witnessed in history with the George building collapse which claimed 33 lives, then it was the Engcobo incident which claimed six lives and now it’s Ballito.
built environment, to work with sector councils under its wing such as the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP), to work together with the relevant authorities, including the Department of Labour and Employment to fully investigate this latest incident.
“The council for the built environment (CBE), will ensure that the SACPCMP appoints the relevant and qualified health and safety professionals to investigate whether works, undertaken at the various sites that were recently affected by disaster, were aligned to the guidelines stipulated under the law,” the minister said. “Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, there are very specific guidelines pertaining to professional competence and the scope of works related to persons working within the construction industry. It is a legal requirement that these are followed to the letter,” he added.
Zikalala also pleaded to all construction industry players to put the safety of the workers first at all construction sites.
“To each and every person working on, near, or in tandem with our South African construction projects, take a moment to stop and review your work, as well as the conditions around you. Be vigilant in following the legal guidelines set in place to ensure safe working environments for both yourselves and your colleagues. Construction health and safety is not an insurmountable notion but a right and responsibility for all”.
Police in KwaZulu-Natal have commenced investigations into the circumstances that led to the incident.