 in the Greater Johannesburg Region has called for an immediate investigation after an allegedly illegally erected building collapsed in Doornkop’s Snakepark area, killing two women and a one-year-old child.){kind=link}
By Thapelo Molefe
The African National Congress (ANC) in the Greater Johannesburg Region has called for an immediate investigation after an allegedly illegally erected building collapsed in Doornkop’s Snakepark area, killing two women and a one-year-old child.
The collapse of the double-storey structure on Sunday triggered an emergency response from disaster management teams, police and emergency medical services, who rushed to the scene to conduct search and rescue operations.
Three other people who were trapped beneath the rubble were rescued alive, stabilised on site and transported to hospital for further medical treatment. Their conditions have not been officially confirmed.
In a statement issued on Monday, the ANC said it was mourning the deaths alongside the Doornkop community and extended condolences to the bereaved family. The party said the incident highlighted the deadly consequences of unsafe living conditions and the failure to comply with building regulations.
The ANC said that Snakepark and surrounding areas are affected by dolomitic land conditions, which require strict adherence to planning laws, approved building designs and detailed geotechnical investigations before construction can take place. According to the party, the structure that collapsed had no approved building plans.
“This tragedy is a stark reminder that compliance with building regulations is not optional; it is a matter of life and death,” the ANC said.
The party called on the City of Johannesburg to strengthen inspections, enforce municipal bylaws and intensify public education on building compliance, particularly in townships where illegal and unsafe structures are more common.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse, with preliminary assessments expected to focus on structural integrity, possible illegal construction and compliance with municipal building regulations. Residents in surrounding buildings have been urged to exercise caution as safety inspections continue in the area.
The ANC said any individual, contractor or official found to have violated building regulations, approved illegal construction or failed to enforce bylaws must be held responsible.
“The stubborn and persistent negative social conditions in our society continue to express themselves most sharply along the lines of race and gender. The face of poverty remains black and female. Black women are most likely to be trapped in overcrowded and unsafe living conditions, carrying the burden of care work while facing severe economic hardships,” the party said.
ANC Greater Joburg regional secretary Sasabona Manganye said the organisation would visit the affected family to ensure that immediate relief, psychosocial support and other assistance are provided.
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