Mall tests results to be released next week
Commissioner calls results "mind-boggling"
Tongaat Mall commission of inquiry chair Phumudzo Maphaha has called the commission’s latest test results “mind-boggling”.
Maphaha was speaking at yesterday’s sitting, discussing a test performed on a column similar to the mall’s column 319.
The tested column had the same specifications as those designed by engineer Andre Ballack at the mall.
The column was tested to determine its strength and load capacity.
Maphaha said the results were “interesting” but refused to divulge more information, indicating he would only comment after a formal report had been released next week.
Ballack’s lawyer, attorney Richard Hoal, requested the information be released immediately but was denied.
It is not clear if the results support the view of contractor’s Gralio Precast, that Ballack had under-designed column 319 and 243, which caused the collapse.
Ballack’s legal team has maintained that beam seven, which Ballack designed to have 19 steel bars in it, was responsible for the November 19 collapse.
During his testimony on Monday Ballack showed the commission his digital finite model of the mall, swearing under oath that the mall was properly braced.
The inquiry continued on Tuesday, with testimony from engineer Rob Young.
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