Deadly Ormonde Collapse: ‘Illegal’ Joburg Building Set For Demolition As Death Toll Hits Eight

A building that collapsed in Ormonde, Johannesburg, killing at least eight people, appears to have been constructed illegally and is now set to be demolished.

Authorities are still searching for the owners of the structure, which caved in on Monday and trapped several labourers beneath concrete and rubble.

No Approved Ormonde Building Plans Found

Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero said preliminary findings suggest the structure was erected in violation of municipal bylaws.

He confirmed that once the owners are located, they will be served with a formal notice ahead of demolition. An investigation into how the building was constructed is underway and is expected to run for approximately two weeks.

City officials have so far been unable to trace the property owners. Speaking at the scene on Monday night, Johannesburg City Manager Floyd Brink indicated that critical documentation appeared to be missing.

“Looking at preliminary investigations, we cannot seem to find any form of approved plans because in an area like this, you should have had an SDF, as well as any other approved building plans.

“At this point, we do have our engineers on site, as well as our building control officials, and we are now busy looking at the structural integrity of this particular building.

“We are trying for our teams to have our teams work around the clock, but at some point, if it becomes unsafe for them to do so, we will have to call it off and continue again in the morning,” Brink said.

Rescue Efforts Continue as Death Toll Rises

Emergency crews resumed operations on Tuesday morning as the confirmed death toll climbed to eight.

City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services spokesperson Xolile Khumalo provided an update from the disaster site.

“Two patients have been located and the teams are working on extracting them from under the concrete slab. One patient remains unaccounted for, bringing the total confirmed death toll to eight.

“One of the two bodies have been recovered. Search continuous to extract the other located patient and one still missing,” Khumalo stated.

The exact cause of the collapse remains under investigation, although MMC for Community Safety Mngcini Tshwaku said early reports point to a structural failure.

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“According to preliminary reports, the concrete slab dividing the structure into two storeys caved in and collapsed, leading to significant structural failure,” Tshwaku said.

He also flagged the hazardous proximity of overhead power lines at the site.

“It is not safe at all. These are things we are going to be looking at, because you can have a spark, these are some live wires,” he added.

Officials have identified the contractors and engineers linked to the project but have not yet managed to reach them.

ANC Calls for Full Probe Into Safety Compliance

The African National Congress Johannesburg Region has called for a comprehensive investigation to establish whether health, safety and labour regulations were followed.

“The safety and well-being of workers and residents must never be compromised for profit or expediency.

“Illegal and unapproved structures endanger lives and place the entire community at risk,” the regional branch said.

As rescue and recovery operations continue, the City is preparing to demolish what remains of the structure once it is declared safe to do so.