RESIDENTS were evacuated from a Morningside block of flats after illegal excavation work led a boundary wall to collapse.
Alarm bells were raised after a video circulating on social media showed hair-raising footage of the block of flats which appeared to be on the brink of collapse on Peter Mokaba Road in Morningside.
Speaking to Berea Mail, eThekwini Municipality’s head of communications Lindiwe Khuzwayo confirmed that the driveway slab and retaining wall of the property had collapsed.
“This was presumably attributed to the removal of soil from the lower ground-floor level and the undermining of the foundations of the boundary wall,” she said.
According to Khuzwayo, the excavation was illegal, and the City had issued notices to the Body Corporate in April 2023.
“Unfortunately, the unauthorised work continued regardless of what essentially triggered the collapse of the driveway slab and boundary wall,” said Khuzwayo.
“The municipality has requested the Body Corporate via written notice to submit a methodology statement on the remedial works that need to be carried out. This office will then assess and consider issuing a Provisional Authorisation for the commencement of the remedial works. On completion of the remedial works and the submission of a stability certificate from the engineer, the building may then be re-occupied. This is private property, and all associated works are for the responsibility of the owner (Body Corporate),” continued Khuzwayo.
Khuzwayo added that City officials have visited the property twice.
Related news : WATCH: Hair-raising video shows erosion at Morningside block of flats
“The first time they met with the trustees, they requested that they submit an engineer’s report stating that the building is safe for occupation, failing which the building must be evacuated. During the second visit, a second notice was issued as the report had not been submitted. The engineer was also on-site and confirmed that he is unable to provide such certification due to the risk of further failure of the driveway slab which is structurally integrated with the main structure,” said Khuzwayo.
“We will continue monitoring the site to ensure compliance,” concluded Khuzwayo.
Berea Mail reached out to the board of trustees for the block, however, they were not available for comment at the time of going to press.
Firefighters evacuate residents
Divisional Commander Adam Merasi confirmed that the eThekwini Fire Department was on the scene on Friday, July 6 to evacuate residents from the block of flats as the structure was evaluated.
Also read: City demolishes ‘problem building’
“The FESU (Fire and Emergency Support Unit) were dispatched between 09:30 and 10:30. FESU responds to all incidents involving life and property affected by any fire and/or hazards. Evacuation was initiated as soon as the sizing up of the incident was complete. And no persons were allowed in until a structural engineer deemed it safe to do so. No injuries were reported,” said Merasi.
Berea Mail visited the site on Sunday, July 9 to find out more. A resident who wanted to remain anonymous was leaving the block to stay with relatives. The resident told Berea Mail that renovations were underway at the block.
“On Friday, I received a call at the office to say the building pipes had burst and the entire level in the garage where I park my car had collapsed. Three months ago, the level below this collapsed. We asked the majority shareholder to stop the renovations, but digging continued, and I think the bulldozer hit a main pipe which burst and caused this [damage],” said the resident who added that the 13-storey block houses 92 units.
For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
