Collapsing house set to be demolished

Africa Demolition Contractors, which has been on-site since last Friday, confirmed that the house will be torn down. Further questions were directed to the homeowner who could not be reached at time of going to press.

Lowvelder reported that the City of Mbombela Local Municipality (CMLM) had given the homeowners and engineers until March 18 to instil remedial actions. This deadline was not met.

Concerns regarding the building’s structural integrity, as well as the safety of those surrounding it, were raised to CMLM which had signed off on the original plans.

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Some of the neighbours have had to evacuate their homes for their own safety.

“We don’t really know what’s going on there. I don’t know if they’re going to demolish the whole property or what’s going to happen to my wall,” said Francois Swart, whose house overlooks the Skoenlapper construction site. Swart’s wall was so badly damaged he and his family had to evacuate their home, too.

“I don’t know if the municipality or the owner of the property is now liable.”