Serious construction lapses discovered following Verulam building collapse

Preliminary findings from an investigation into the tragic four-storey building collapse in Verulam have raised significant alarm regarding construction practices, signalling a need for systemic changes in oversight and enforcement protocols. Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson announced these findings on Wednesday, revealing serious lapses that potentially contributed to the disaster which occurred at the New Ahobilam Temple of Protection last Friday.

The incident, which took place during the pouring of concrete for an extension of the temple, resulted in the loss of five lives, including temple founder Vic Panday, senior devotee Vasudev Datta Das, electrician Jayseelan Perumal, and local farmer Kishore Hurribhujan, along with another unidentified worker. Eyewitness accounts and available video footage indicate that the collapse happened suddenly, likely triggered by a failure in the formwork or shuttering used to support the newly poured concrete.

Macpherson said the investigation has uncovered concerning evidence of substandard materials used in the construction, including inadequate concrete and reinforced columns. “It is vitally important that we urgently track down the supplier and builder that used this material to stop this from happening anywhere else,” he said, calling attention to how such failures exert abnormal loads on structural elements, resulting in rapid and progressive collapse.

Further complicating matters, preliminary inspections have revealed no approved building plans or permits for the construction, with indications that the structure may have been occupied without an occupational certificate. “In the absence of these submissions, the relevant authorities were deprived of the opportunity to inspect, monitor or intervene during this construction,” Macpherson said.

The building site has since been designated as a crime scene, with recovery operations set to transition into a detailed forensic investigation led by the Department of Employment and Labour, alongside other authorities. “The final determination of the precise failure mechanism will be made through this investigation, although preliminary observations already indicate significant lapses in construction integrity,” Macpherson noted.

The minister has called for immediate measures from the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) to prevent future occurrences, proposing initiatives to detect illegal building activities, requiring notifications of large concrete deliveries to municipalities, and launching community campaigns on the importance of obtaining necessary building approvals.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has been made aware of the incident and has expressed full support for the ongoing investigations and necessary reforms, Macpherson said. He reiterated the urgent need for systemic changes, stating that the responsibilities for building regulation and workplace safety often fall across multiple government sectors, leading to oversight issues and gaps in accountability.

The eThekwini metro has witnessed a disturbing pattern of structural collapses over the past decade, prompting the minister to stress the importance of examining governance failures that may lead to repeated tragedies. “The technical, criminal, and labour-related investigations are now underway and will proceed without interference and at speed,” he said, reiterating a commitment to hold responsible parties accountable, support affected families, and prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Macpherson commended the dedication of emergency services and disaster management teams who worked under perilous conditions to aid in recovery efforts, acknowledging their commitment in the face of adversity.

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