Minister reveals fatal Verulam building collapse lacked approved plans and permits

Preliminary investigations into the collapse of a church building in Durban, which claimed five lives, have revealed that the developers failed to submit any approved building plans.

Last Friday, search and rescue teams were dispatched to the site of a four-storey building under construction in Verulam after the structure suddenly collapsed. The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure held a media briefing today to disclose the initial findings of an investigation conducted by the Council for the Built Environment.

Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson stated that the sudden structural failure occurred while wet cement was being poured on one of the upper levels of the construction.

"Of particular concern are preliminary indications from the relevant authorities that no approved building plans were submitted, that no construction permits were issued, and that the building may have been occupied prior to the issuance of an occupational certificate. All of which would constitute serious contraventions of the National Building Regulations and Standards," said Macpherson.