eThekwini building collapses: Building council calls for examination of systematic governance failures

The Council of the Built Environment (CBE) said that there is a need to examine whether systematic governance failures within the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality are contributing to the loss of life through structural collapses.

On Wednesday, the council released its preliminary report into the recent collapse of a four-storey building in Verulam that claimed the lives of five people.

The report revealed the building was constructed without any approval from the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, making it difficult for the city to inspect and possibly stop it.

ALSO READ:

- eThekwini Municipality rejected plans for site of deadly temple collapse

- Macpherson slams ‘flouted processes’ after illegal building collapse kills five

- Minister reveals fatal Verulam building collapse lacked approved plans and permits

However, it also found a “troubling” pattern of similar incidents in eThekwini over the last decade.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson said, “Reinforcing the need to examine whether systematic and governance failures are contributing to repeated loss of life. This is not a matter that can be addressed by any single department or sphere alone.

“It is an issue that requires Cabinet-level consideration, informed by the outcomes of this investigation to determine whether stronger coordinating mechanisms, clear lines of responsibility or regulatory reforms are required. As the national government, we have a responsibility to ensure that the regulation of the built environment places public safety first.”

Speaking at the same media briefing, eThekwini’s city manager, Musa Mbhele, said that it’s difficult for the municipality to monitor all illegal constructions.

“I can’t fathom a situation where it is easily said that all these buildings that have collapsed in the last 10 years, it’s because the city has failed in its governance and systems - that is not true. 

“I was in charge of city planning for 10 years myself, and some of those buildings that are mentioned there, including the Tongaat Mall and Jacobs [building], I was directly and personally involved. In the Tongaat one, we had served 10 notices, and the developer continued to build unabated.”