Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has confirmed that the four-storey building at the New Ahobilam Temple of Protection in Redcliffe, Verulam, has been declared a crime scene after preliminary investigations uncovered serious regulatory and construction breaches. The building that was under construction as an extension to the temple, collapsed around midday on Friday, sending first responders rushing to the scene. The collapse trapped several people beneath tons of cement, bricks and steel.
At least one person was confirmed dead at the scene on Friday, while search-and-rescue operations continued throughout the weekend. Four more bodies were later recovered, bringing the death toll to five. Distressed families gathered at the site as emergency personnel worked tirelessly to recover the victims.
In a further blow to the community, an elderly temple devotee also died at the scene on Friday evening after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest. Community members described the temple as relatively new, saying it had been used by worshippers for the past three years. Macpherson, accompanied by KwaZulu-Natal Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi, KZN MEC for Public Works Martin Meyer and eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba, visited the site on Saturday afternoon.
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The delegation was seen navigating a treacherous pathway while sections of the collapsed structure were removed for further investigation. According to Macpherson, preliminary findings raised concerns about the quality of construction, the use of “sub-standard” concrete and the failure to submit building plans to the relevant authorities. “Based on the information available at this point, the structure involved was a reinforced concrete multi-storey building under construction, comprising concrete columns, flat slabs and masonry walls,” said Macpherson.
“The collapse occurred while concrete was being poured, with reports indicating that work was underway on the upper levels of the building at the time of the incident. “Preliminary evidence, including available video footage, points to a sudden structural failure, most likely triggered by a formwork or shuttering failure during the pumping of wet concrete. “Such a failure can impose significant and abnormal dynamic loads on the floors below — loads that no building is structurally designed to withstand — resulting in a rapid and progressive collapse,” he said.
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