Macpherson pledges action to strengthen building safety

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has pledged to work with the Nazareth Baptist Church and built-environment stakeholders to strengthen construction practices, improve building safety and help prevent future building collapses following Monday’s wall collapse at the church’s Inanda complex in KwaZulu-Natal.

The Minister made the commitment during a visit to the site on Tuesday, where he also extended his sympathies to those injured in the incident.

Twelve people were injured when a wall at the Nazareth Baptist Church complex collapsed on Monday afternoon. Four of the injured remain in hospital.

Following a meeting with church elders, Macpherson said the church had welcomed a further investigation by the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) into the circumstances surrounding the collapse before construction resumes at the site.

He added that the engagement formed part of ongoing stakeholder consultations on the recently announced Integrated Social Facilitation Framework, which aims to prevent future building collapses in South Africa.

“Having visited the site of the collapse today, I share the belief of the Shembe Church that it is by the grace of God that no lives were lost when the wall collapsed. I am sincerely grateful to the church for welcoming me to the complex this morning.

“I extend my heartfelt thoughts and prayers to those injured in the collapse and will visit them in hospital personally to wish them well in their recovery,” Macpherson said.

The Minister said he had also committed to working with the church, through the Council for the Built Environment, to improve construction practices at the complex and help prevent similar incidents in future.

“This morning, I also committed to the church elders that we would work with the church, through the Council for the Built Environment, to strengthen building practices, prevent future collapses and ensure the safety of buildings at the church and across the country.

“As the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, we are committed to working with all stakeholders to prevent building collapses and improve regulations to ensure that we protect the lives of all South Africans. By working together, we can build a better South Africa,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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