Macpherson exposes shocking failures behind SA building collapses that killed 17

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has criticized South Africa's construction and regulatory system, exposing serious weaknesses after a series of deadly building collapses. In four investigations, the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) found unlawful construction practices, weak enforcement, inadequate municipal oversight, and professional accountability failures caused 17 deaths and 24 injuries between December 2025 and March 2026.

The most serious incident occurred at the River Range Ranch Temple site in Verulam, where a five-storey building collapsed, killing five people and injuring 11. The investigation revealed the building lacked approved plans, construction permits, and identified professionals. The Redcliffe collapse was labeled "ignoring the law" by Macpherson.

In Doornkop, Soweto, a residential structure collapsed during heavy rainfall, killing three family members. The danger was known to government for years, yet residents were relocated and demolition work began. The investigators blamed the collapse on a shallow sinkhole or doline beneath the building, stating the incident was "not enforcing the law."

At the Magnolia residential development in Sea Point, about 40 square meters of temporary formwork failed, injuring four workers. While the permanent structure was not affected, Macpherson warned that compliance on paper alone is insufficient; every safety control must operate during work.

The Ormonde industrial building collapse in Johannesburg claimed nine lives and injured six. Engineers found significant deficiencies in structural steelwork supporting suspended floors, including connection details, structural members, and overall configuration. Notably, no building approval was submitted before the collapse, and an engineer involved in the project had a prior deregistration by the Engineering Council of South Africa.

Macpherson emphasized that South Africa's problem lies in the inconsistent implementation, inadequate oversight, weak enforcement, and non-compliance of existing construction legislation.