Update: Fallen sign, not building collapse, responsible for Durban CBD road closures

Investigations are underway to determine the structural safety of a building on the corner of Anton Lembede Street and Dorothy Nyembe Street in the Durban CBD.

Durban Metro Police have cordoned off several streets in the CBD in fear that the building will collapse.

Colonel Boysie Zungu of the Durban Metro Police says that Dorothy Nyembe Street, from Pixley KaSeme Street, and Anton Lembede Street, from Samora Machel Street, are closed to traffic and will remain so until the building has been given the all-clear.

“We are advising motorists and other road users to avoid the above-mentioned roads due to the collapsing building. Emergency services are on the scene,” says Zungu.

He says the building showed signs of collapse yesterday.

“The reports that we got were that the building was shaking and near collapse from around 18:30. Investigations are underway to determine the safety of the building. For now, the street will remain closed. We are not sure of the timeline of when they will be re-opened. Please be patient and drive cautiously,” says Zungu.

Heavy winds experienced in Durban yesterday are suspected to have contributed to the building being unstable.

The winds caused some metal sheets to be blown off, but thankfully, no injuries have been reported.