The third session by the Department of Labour (DoL) appointed Thongathi Mall Commission of Inquiry to investigate the collapse of the Mall that led to the death of two people and injury to 29 others is to proceed from June 4-6.
The Section 32 Thongathi Mall Commission of Inquiry was appointed by the Department of Labour to dissect the causes of the collapse of the Mall last November.
With the Commission’s evidence gathering work gathering momentum the spotlight on the upcoming session will fall on the further cross-examination of witnesses and experts. These will include: workers who were below the slab during the collapse; the Steel Fixer; the eThekwini municipal representatives; Engineers from all parties, and the contractor/client.
The Section 32 hearing was set-up by the Department of Labour to gather evidence against parties whose negligence resulted in occupational injuries and death of workers.
The hearings will proceed at the Thongathi Municipal offices, in the North Coast town of Thongathi (Tongaat).
Once the Commission has completed its evidence gathering it is expected it will 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 of Inquiry 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 start at 9h00.
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 have already testified before the Commission.
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