President Jacob Zuma has extended his condolences to the families and relatives of on nine people who lost their lives when a house collapsed at the Meyersdal Eco Estate in Alberton, south-east of Johannesburg, on Monday.

“I have learned with sadness of this horrific loss of so many lives and I wish to convey, on behalf of government and all people of South Africa, our heartfelt condolences to families, friends and relatives of the victims. We also wish all those who were injured during this tragic incident a speedy recovery,” President Zuma said.

The President said that a government team of inspectors and engineers has been sent to the site of the collapsed house to investigate the cause of the accident and whether the project falls within the ambit of the Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act (Act No. 95 of 1998).

President Zuma further appealed to builders and project managers across the country to apply necessary protection measures as well as comply with building and safety regulations to prevent such incidents in the future.