Building collapse: ‘Illegal’ alteration claimed lives
EMM press release reveals that alterations to the building were not legal. “We condemn the non-compliance as a grave error of great proportion. This could have been avoided,” said Themba Gadebe, EMM spokesperson.
ALBERTON – The collapsed structure in the Meyersdal Eco Estate did not have the proper official approval.
“The accident took place while illegal building operations were being undertaken at a hideaway back area of the property, being a double storey.
“The original building plan for the double storey house was approved on November 1, 2006, with the requisite compulsory inspections conducted and a certificate of occupancy subsequently issued on July 2, 2009, certifying habitability and compliance of the building,” Themba Gadebe, EMM spokesperson, explained, saying that the original building plans were approved.
“The illegal building operations that led to the accident were part demolitions, alterations, additions and refurbishments that was undertaken without approved building plans and written consent from the Municipality as required by law.
“The real cause of the collapse has not been established yet, as the investigation is under way and the accident scene was mostly occupied by emergency personnel with the search and rescue mission.” Themba further explained that the construction taking place on site was not approved.
The lives that have been lost, was the result of negligence. It is mostly regretted that lives have been lost, and this should not have happened had laws, processes and procedure been followed.
“The municipality is making a clarion call on all property owners to seek municipal approval and permission prior to commencing with building activities, as building without approved building plans and written consent is a contravention of the provisions of the National Building Regulations and Building Standard Act 103, 1977 as amended, and is an offence punishable by law,” Themba continued.
“We condemn the non-compliance as a grave error of great proportion. This could have been avoided,” Themba said.
And how would any approval document have prevented this??? This government, it’s procedures and the municipalities is a joke . Unfortunately for someone actually contributing to the economy this happened and he will he blamed. Joke! How do we know it was not the earthquake that caused this….
Please correct me if I am wrong , but does the Municipality spokesman know how this works. As for as I know the Municipality sees that you are not building a shack or low cost housing in an estate or that the building itself looks up to standard , they have nothing to do with the recipe of the building that is the engineers job . I am happy to see that he is such a law abiding citizen .