Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has called for better coordination of legislation that governs the construction industry to curb challenges in the sector.
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The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has announced that the investigation into the tragic collapse of the Ormonde building, which claimed the lives of nine individuals and left three others injured, is approaching its conclusion.
The multi-layered structure in Johannesburg collapsed earlier this month, prompting questions about safety regulations in the building and construction industry.
Early this month, Macpherson directed the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) to lead a technical, governance, and regulatory enquiry into the circumstances surrounding the Ormonde building collapse, which happened on March 2.
It is believed that the multi-disciplinary probe will assess structural and construction factors, examine regulatory and professional compliance, and determine whether any negligence, misconduct, or legislative breaches contributed to the collapse.
During his visit to the construction site of the Johannesburg Deeds Office on Tuesday, Macpherson expressed his dismay over the tragedy and emphasised the need for comprehensive legal and legislative reforms within the built environment to prevent similar disasters in the future.
"The investigation into the Ormonde building collapse is nearing completion. We urge contractors to do their jobs and stop cutting corners. We also recognise that regulatory and legal reforms are needed in the built environment. Next month, I will be meeting with the ministers of Human Settlements and Labour and Employment. We will be finalising a joint report to Cabinet on the outcomes of the George building collapse," he stated.
The minister highlighted the need for better coordination among various sectors within the built industry, stating that fragmentation hampers the effective implementation of existing legislation governing construction.
"If we are going to be the custodian of the built environment, we need to ensure that all processes and regulatory and legislative requirements are stationed in one department," he urged.
One of the most striking aspects of the Ormonde collapse, according to the minister, was its proximity to an electricity pylon. He said this raises significant concerns about municipal enforcement of building regulations.
"The collapse should not have occurred and could have been prevented. What struck me most was that the building was adjacent to an Eskom electricity pylon. That is why we need to have a serious conversation around the capacity of municipalities to enforce their by-laws," he remarked.
The concerns raised by Macpherson were recently echoed by Carol Phiri, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Works. In a recent media statement, Phiri stressed the urgency of finalising critical legislative measures, such as the Infrastructure Development Amendment Bill and the Public Works Bill, in light of the ongoing issue of building collapses.
She pointed out: "The country is facing a serious problem with building collapses. This requires urgent attention to ensure that lives are not lost because of weaknesses in the regulatory system of the built environment."
siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za