By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
File Photo.
Three people have died in a two-storey building collapse in the early hours of Sunday in Doornkop, Soweto, Johannesburg Emergency Services (EMS) confirmed.
According to the EMS six people were inside the building when it collapsed. Upon arrival, three people, two adult women and a one-year-old child, were confirmed dead at the scene and another three were found trapped beneath the rubble.
All trapped people were extricated out of the rubble and transported to the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital for urgent medical attention.
The cause of the collapse is currently under investigation, with the incident referred to the relevant authorities for further examination.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson described the event as a “deeply distressing incident” and emphasised that the department would prioritise accountability.
“My thoughts and condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, and with all those who were injured as a result of this tragic collapse,” Macpherson said in a statement released on Sunday. “We will respect due process and will cooperate fully with all regulatory bodies throughout the investigation.”
He has ordered the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) to determine the cause of the structural failure, identify responsible parties and recommend preventative actions to avert future disasters in the construction sector.
The Soweto incident comes just two weeks after five people killed in building collapse in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
On 12 December, a four-storey Hindu temple under construction in Redcliffe, north of Durban, collapsed, trapping workers under debris.
Macpherson, said substandard materials were used in the construction of the four-storey building.
Preliminary findings point to serious construction failures, regulatory breaches, and possible criminality.
Macpherson said the information being shared was “preliminary in nature” and based on an initial expert assessment conducted by the Council for the Built Environment (CBE), which he had mandated to lead the investigation in cooperation with provincial and municipal authorities.
In a separate incident a small section of the ceiling collapsed at Northgate Mall on December 27, with no fatalities and injuries reported.
According to centre management, all affected areas were immediately secured and cordoned off as a safety precaution. The shopping centre remains open and continues to trade as normal.
Initial assessments indicate that severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and hail over a short period, led to water building up in box gutters. This caused water to overflow, resulting in an isolated partial ceiling collapse. Management stressed that there was no damage to the roof structure itself, and the overall integrity of the building remains sound.
Facilities and technical teams, together with relevant specialists, are currently assessing the affected area and nearby sections of the centre. These assessments will determine what repairs are needed and ensure they are carried out safely and efficiently.
The story has been updated with DPWI minister’s statement.