The Thongathi Mall Commission of Inquiry that was set up by the Department of Labour (DoL) to lay bare the causes of the collapse of the mall that led to the death of two people and injury to 29 others is to resume from 2 to 4 April.
Next week’s three-day hearing of the Thongathi (Tongaat) Mall Commission of Inquiry marks the second session of the evidence gathering testimony that started on 11 February. The hearing, used to gather facts and circumstances that led to the fatal incident, is being held at the Thongathi Municipal offices.
The Section 32 hearing – an initiative instituted by the Department of Labour – seeks to gather evidence against parties whose negligence resulted in occupational injuries and death of workers – follows the collapse in November of the Thongathi Shopping Mall.
The Thongathi Mall Commission of Inquiry has been given a mandate to gather evidence following concerns and a series of events that led to the tragic Thongathi Mall that collapsed last year.
Once the Commission has completed its evidence gathering it is expected to prepare a report of its findings and formulate recommendations which will be presented to Labour Minister and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for their consideration.
The Thongathi Mall Commission is chaired by Presiding Officer Phumudzo Maphaha. He is assisted by co-presiding officer Sandile Kubheka and Lennie Samuel, a forensic investigation and organiser.
The hearings are expected to be held between 9am to 5pm.
Witnesses and experts expected to be cross examined include workers who were below the slab(s) during the collapse, the steel fixer, eThekwini municipal representatives, engineers from all parties and the contractor or client.
To date – Ronnie Pillay, a foreman at the construction site on the day of the Mall collapse; Rishen Naidoo, a sub-contractor doing post tensioning of concrete including electronic cabling in the project;
Ismail van Zyl, a subcontractor; and Robert John Young, an engineer with 45-years of experience in construction industry – have already testified.
NB: The Department of Labour encourages media personnel and affected stakeholders to source accreditation to the proceedings of the inquiry. The accreditation may be acquired via KwaZulu-Natal’s Department of Labour Provincial Communication section headed by Nhlanhla Khumalo on nhlanhlax.khumalo@labour.gov.za, 031 366 2018 / 074 589 9682.
Issued by: Department of Labour