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The Department of Labour-appointed Thongathi (Tongaat) Mall Structural Collapse Commission of Inquiry is to hold a week-long session in which the owner of the project is to take a stand.

This is the first session to be held in 2015 following last year’s break. Expected to take a stand on Monday (2 March) will be the Thongathi Mall’s contractor, and Chief Executive of Gralio Contractor Precast (Pty) Ltd, Mr Jay Singh, who will be led into presenting his evidence. The session will last until Friday (March 6). 

The Thongathi Mall Commission of Inquiry was appointed following the structural collapse of the mall that led to the death of two workers and injury to 29.

The Section 32 hearing, was instituted by the Department of Labour in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act to gather evidence on negligence that may have resulted in occupational injuries and death of workers.

To date parties that have appeared before the Inquiry include: the foreman, engineers, supervisor, property developer, workers, eThekwini Municipality, safety consultant, sub-contractors and steel fixer.

The Thongathi Mall structural collapse took place on 19 November 2013. The Commission of Inquiry started its work of gathering evidence on 11 February 2014.

The Thongathi Commission of Inquiry is held at the North Coast Town’s Municipality offices. The Inquiry starts at 9h00.

For more information contact:
Nhlanhla X. Khumalo
KZN Provincial Spokesman
Tel: 031 366 2018
Cell: 074 589 9682
E-mail: nhlanhlax.khumalo@labour.gov.za

Issued by Department of Labour