Probe launched as construction worker killed at Moot shopping centre
John Nyathi (46) died when a steel structure at the Jakaranda shopping centre collapsed during the pouring of concrete.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a construction worker at the Jakaranda shopping centre after its structure partially collapsed on Thursday was ongoing.
“The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) is in the process of urgently establishing the facts of today’s accident and will fully co-operate with investigations from the city of Tshwane or any regulatory authority that will be instituted in due course,” PIC’s head of corporate affairs Deon Botha said.
A 46-year-old man identified as John Nyathi was killed and 12 other construction workers were injured when a steel structure reportedly collapsed during the pouring of concrete for the construction of a two-tier parking facility for the shopping centre.
Of the 12, two people were said to have been hospitalised after suffering serious injuries, while the remaining 10 – presumed to be employees at the construction site – sustained minor injuries.
“The PIC and its board wish to express its sincerest condolences and sympathies to the family of the deceased who, according to preliminary reports, was employed by the contractor on-site,” Botha said.
“The loss of life and injury to construction employees is deeply regrettable.”
Botha said the company wad awaiting a full incident report from the project manager, as the principal-agent on the job, to establish the facts surrounding the tragedy.
“The PIC will further engage its internal division (legal, risk, etc) to further investigate and decide on what corrective steps will be required.”
While the construction and redevelopment of the shopping centre was anticipated to be completed by March 2021, Thursday’s fatal occurrence was expected to cause “unforeseen delays”.
Botha said the centre was redeveloped after it had become dilapidated, “necessitating an overhaul to re-establish it as a key destination centre in the Moot area”.
“A R358-million investment had previously been approved for a substantial redevelopment of the centre,” Botha said.
Redevelopments to the centre were designed to increase its gross-lettable-area from 18 407m² to 20 369m² – increasing the centre’s parking ratio and security, upgrading its external facade and entrances to better accessibility.
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