A concrete slab reportedly detached from ongoing construction works above Identity Clothing at Bhunu Mall, causing the store’s roof to collapse and trapping employee Tiyandza Millenia Masilela, who later died.
The development emerged during an afternoon inspection of the site by Minister of Housing and Urban Development Appolo Maphalala, who was briefed by J&E Construction General Manager Carl Smith.
Smith said the concrete structure had been supported by two large steel reinforcement bars, which appeared to have lost their grip, resulting in the structure falling onto the roof of Identity Clothing. However, he stressed that the exact cause of the failure was yet to be established, with technical investigations still underway.
“Every stage of construction is signed off before any major works is investigated and signed off,” Smith said.
He explained that the fallen concrete structure had also complicated rescue efforts on Tuesday night, as responders had to break through a substantial concrete beam before they could reach the trapped employee.
“What delayed the recovery or the rescue on Tuesday night was this concrete beam, and we had to break it,” Smith said.
He said the beam extended approximately four metres from the affected column, making it particularly difficult to remove.
Smith, meanwhile, praised the first responders who attended the scene following the collapse, saying various stakeholders had mobilised equipment and personnel to assist.
“The reaction, first responders were all very good; Water Services brought their machinery, municipality, a lot of people came here to react to this incident,” he said.
Smith said J&E Construction appreciated the efforts of all those who responded to the emergency.
The minister said the purpose of his visit was to gain a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding the collapse while awaiting the formal technical findings.
“The whole purpose of coming here was to have appreciation of what might have happened leading to this. Of course, we are still awaiting the technical reports that are going to come,” Maphalala said.
He said the preliminary information presented to him indicated that a concrete structure had fallen onto the roof after its reinforcing steel appeared to have lost its grip. “What caused this, we are yet to ascertain in the technical report,” he said.
Maphalala extended his condolences to Masilela’s family, friends and colleagues, as well as to Identity Clothing management and the contractors involved in the construction project.
“We want to pass our condolences to the employee who died. Our hearts are with the family and friends as well as the management of Identity,” he said. The minister also acknowledged the impact of the incident on J&E Construction, saying construction companies could implement safety protocols yet still encounter unforeseen incidents.
“We also want to pass a statement of heartfelt condolences to you as the contractors because these types of incidences… you employ every other safety protocol that you know, but in some instances, it does take God’s grace that you finish without an incident,” Maphalala said.
The incident has also raised concerns about emergency response and access to collapsed structures, particularly where heavy concrete has to be removed.
Maphalala said the ministry would work with relevant stakeholders to improve rescue operations, noting that some heavy machinery had been unable to enter the store during the rescue operation.
…IDENTITY CLOTHING VISITS DECEASED’S FAMILY
TIYANDZA Millenia Masilela’s family has confirmed that representatives of Identity Clothing and Bhunu Mall have visited the family following her death in the fatal incident.
According to her aunt, the representatives visited to offer their condolences and requested some of Tiyandza’s personal documents.
The aunt, Banelisiwe Nxumalo, however, declined to divulge further details regarding the visits or the documents requested. Tiyandza died after the roof of Identity Clothing at Bhunu Mall collapsed following the reported fall of a concrete structure from construction works above the store.
Preliminary investigations are expected to establish what caused the structure to fall. Meanwhile, the store’s management declined to comment when this publication reached out to them.
