Nine dead in South African building collapse as president calls for inquiry

3 Mar 2026 • 10:59 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Nine people have died following a building collapse at a business park in Ormonde, south Johannesburg, with emergency services confirming the recovery of additional bodies.
  • The structure, which was partly under construction, collapsed on Monday, trapping several individuals beneath the rubble.
  • Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero stated that preliminary investigations indicate the building was erected illegally without formal plans, violating city bylaws.
  • The government plans to demolish the illegal structure once all necessary processes have been concluded.
  • President Cyril Ramaphosa offered condolences to the affected families and anticipates a thorough investigation into the collapse, highlighting the persistent safety risks of building collapses in South Africa.