Des Erasmus
Johannesburg city manager Floyd Brink has said the metro will immediately conduct a city-wide audit of developments after the collapse of an illegally erected building in Ormonde that left nine people dead.
“Ormonde was a tragedy that could have been prevented. More than a structure failure, this was an oversight failure and we must confront that truth. There is a thin line between a thriving urban landscape and a catastrophic disaster. We must treat every sign-off as an oath to protect lives,” Brink said in a statement issued late on Tuesday night.
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Johannesburg’s inner city has long been plagued by unsafe, unlawfully occupied and poorly regulated buildings, and the construction thereof.
The Sunday Times reported last year that the building-plan archive had been largely inaccessible since 2023, and that bribes were being solicited by employees for access to plans.
A provincial commission of inquiry into the 2023 Usindiso building fire in Marshalltown — which killed 76 people including children — found the city had known about dangerous conditions for years at the block of municipal-owned flats but did not act. Chaired by retired justice Sisi Khampepe, the final report into the blaze showed the city had shown “total disregard” for the block, which was illegally occupied by people who had built shacks in corridors and even bathrooms.
In the statement on Tuesday night, Brink said the city’s response would include “a full, city-wide audit of all developments”, blacklisting and prosecuting non-compliant developers where appropriate, and stricter enforcement of by-laws.
The city said in the same statement that preliminary investigations found the Ormonde structure was “illegally erected, bypassing necessary approvals and development procedures”, and that owners and developers failed to comply with development planning regulations.
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“This catastrophe underscores that there is too much lawlessness in our city. We will not tolerate illegal development. We are here to protect the lives of our residents. We will indicate our intentions clearly and act decisively. The ball is in our court, and we accept this responsibility with the seriousness it deserves,” said Johannesburg mayoral committee member for development planning, Eunice Mgcina.
The building, part of a business park in the south of the city, was under construction when an upper floor gave way on Monday and fell onto people below.
Mayor Dada Morero said earlier on Tuesday that there was no record of formal building plans being submitted for the structure and that the city intended to demolish it.
Brink said his office would take a more proactive role in enforcement.
“The City Manager’s Office will direct enforcement on the streets, no longer hidden behind bureaucracy,” he said.
“The City will enforce all bylaws strictly. No favours, no exceptions, no shortcuts.”
He also issued a message to municipal staff involved in compliance and enforcement: “If you protect our people, the City Manager’s Office will protect you.”
The city said it would also provide support to families affected by the collapse, including counselling services and liaison with social services.
“The loss in Ormonde is profound and unacceptable. The City of Johannesburg will not rest until we ensure that no family suffers similar loss due to negligence or lawlessness,” it said.
