Ormonde collapse: ‘We can’t find any approved building plans’ - CoJ manager

Johannesburg city manager Floyd Brink said there appears to be no approved building plans for a structure that collapsed while under construction in Ormonde, south of Johannesburg.

At least six workers have died when a portion of the building caved in on Monday, leaving others trapped under piles of rubble.

Search-and-rescue teams worked late into the night looking for three people still unaccounted for.

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On Monday night, the City of Johannesburg said the construction company and engineers overseeing the project were nowhere to be found.

Just after 2pm, State and private emergency teams rushed to the collapsed building to help the many construction workers trapped under the rubble.

Rescue efforts continued throughout the day but were severely affected as visibility was reduced in the evening.

Teams worked into the night, trying to get enough light to continue the search-and-rescue operations safely.

But Brink said the building appears to have been constructed illegally.

“We cannot seem to find any form of approved plans because in an area like this, you should have an SDF, as well as any other approved building plans.”

The building was constructed very close to two electricity pylons, despite by-laws stating that any property must be at least 50 metres away from such structures.