Questions surround construction site collapse
The owner believes stormwater that flowed through his property after the July rains resulted in the ground being eroded.
Stormwater could be to blame for a collapse of a pile curtain wall on a construction site in Beach Road.
Earthworks on the residential block were halted after eThekwini Municipality issued a section 12 notice for a dangerous situation after the collapse.
“On 26 August, the city’s building inspectorate team issued the notice in terms of the national building regulations after a construction danger was noted on the property in question,” said eThekwini Municipality’s communications head, Tozi Mthethwa.
The developers were instructed to halt all work on premises with immediate effect.
The Department of Labour was also informed to address the safety risk factor on site.
A site meeting was held with the developer and owner, and issues of concern were addressed,” said Mthethwa.
“A prohibition order was issued by the Department of Labour but this was lifted after the developer and owner complied with the risk assessment.”
Owner of the property, Niron Singh stated that the cause for the collapse of the pile curtain wall will be determined once all investigations are complete. He believes stormwater that flowed through his property after the July rains resulted in the ground being eroded.
“We discovered a rogue stormwater drain above my property that caused water to run freely through the site,” he said. “There were two channels of water running on either side of the site after the heavy rains. One washed away a concrete slab on the neighbouring property.”
This resulted in damaged underground sewer and stormwater also running onto the property.
The adjacent block of flats was under threat of collapse due to the foundation being undermined and occupants were served with a notice to evacuate the first and second floors, which are immediately adjacent to the collapse.
“The piling on my site stood after the heavy rains in July. The second round of heavy rains in August coupled with the broken underground sewer and stormwater eroded the sand around the piles. This is what lead to their collapse,” said Singh.
Tests will continue to determine the cause of the collapse. Two engineering firms have been appointed to investigate the cause and determine a solution.
Singh has also appointed an independent engineer at his own cost and paid to secure the neighbouring property before construction commences.
The development will comprise two levels of parking and seven stories for residential use, including a penthouse.
Excavations for the construction site commenced on 16 February 2015 and Singh hopes the project will be complete in 12 to 18 months from now.
“My main priority is to secure the neighbouring property. We never anticipated something like this would happen.
I intend living in the penthouse, so ensuring the building safety has never been more important,” said Singh, who estimates construction has been set back about three months.
The collapse is being investigated by the Engineering Council of South Africa and as such it is not at liberty to report on it currently.
