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13 March 2026
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Nine people killed in structural collapse in Ormonde, Johannesburg
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City of Johannesburg EMS rescuers responded to a building collapse in Ormonde on Monday, 2 March 2026, when a two-storey structure under construction collapsed during ongoing construction, killing nine people and injuring three. A concrete slab between floors gave way causing a structural failure on the first floor. There were 15 workers on-site when rescuers and paramedics arrived on the scene on Monday. Inside the building, part of the walls had collapsed and a concrete slab had fallen from large, twisted metal pillars. The property is less than a kilometre from FNB Stadium.
The bodies of six who had died were retrieved inside on Monday during search and rescue opertions. Another three were rushed to hospital. On Tuesday morning, rescue teams, including firefighters, a Police K-9 search unit and members of the JMPD and EMPD, led the work to retrieve the last three bodies.
On Tuesday, the City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) confirmed that three patients, who were unaccounted for on Monday evening, were recovered. Rescue teams conducted a comprehensive sweep of the site to ensure that no one was left behind. A total of nine bodies were recovered. Three surviving construction workers, who sustained critical injuries, were transported to hospital on Monday evening.
The building involved was constructed in clear violation of City of Johannesburg bylaws, as proper procedures were not followed. There is no record of approval from municipal authorities and the building plans were never submitted for review or formally sanctioned.
The required permits were not obtained and mandatory inspections were not conducted in accordance with local regulations. Consequently, the structure does not meet established city planning and building standards and is classified as an unlawful development under applicable bylaws.
City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services urged all construction companies to strictly adhere to required procedures and regulatory processes for every building project to prevent such incidents and safeguard public safety.
The City of Johannesburg, EMS sends its heartfelt condolences to all the families of this tragic incident. The scene was handed over to South African Police Service (SAPS).
‘Deeper structural issues’
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson visited the site on Tuesday afternoon and said the Council for the Built Environment (CBE), which regulates professionals in the construction sector, would investigate whether negligence or misconduct took place. “As I have said before, we should never normalise the collapse of any building. Buildings are not meant to collapse, and therefore, there must have been serious failures that led to the tragedy we witnessed. We are determined to get to the bottom of this and will release the findings publicly once the investigation has concluded. We will not hesitate to take action against any individual found to be complicit,” said Minster Macpherson.
He said the collapse was the third in three months, after the Soweto incident and another in Doornfontein in February. “We need to be frank in acknowledging that repeated building collapses point to deeper structural issues that must be urgently reviewed to improve building safety and construction oversight. As we work to turn South Africa into a construction site, it is critical that we do so in an environment where building construction can be trusted and the loss of life avoided. By working together to find solutions, I have no doubt that we can strengthen the regulatory environment and build a better South Africa.”
Company appoints investigators
The developer of the Ormonde building, New Order Investments, confirmed that concrete slabs had collapsed. “Our immediate priority has been the safety and welfare of all individuals on-site. Emergency services responded promptly and we are working closely with them to ensure that all necessary measures are taken,” said the company, through attorney Sinenhlanhla Mnguni.
“New Order has appointed an independent professional team to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the collapse. This team includes structural engineers, health and safety practitioners and other relevant specialists. The purpose of the investigation is to establish the facts, assess compliance with all applicable building and safety standards, and determine the appropriate remedial steps.”
Sources: Xolile Khumalo, media liaison officer, City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services; Daily Maverick
The bodies of six who had died were retrieved inside on Monday during search and rescue opertions. Another three were rushed to hospital. On Tuesday morning, rescue teams, including firefighters, a Police K-9 search unit and members of the JMPD and EMPD, led the work to retrieve the last three bodies.
On Tuesday, the City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) confirmed that three patients, who were unaccounted for on Monday evening, were recovered. Rescue teams conducted a comprehensive sweep of the site to ensure that no one was left behind. A total of nine bodies were recovered. Three surviving construction workers, who sustained critical injuries, were transported to hospital on Monday evening.
The building involved was constructed in clear violation of City of Johannesburg bylaws, as proper procedures were not followed. There is no record of approval from municipal authorities and the building plans were never submitted for review or formally sanctioned.
The required permits were not obtained and mandatory inspections were not conducted in accordance with local regulations. Consequently, the structure does not meet established city planning and building standards and is classified as an unlawful development under applicable bylaws.
City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services urged all construction companies to strictly adhere to required procedures and regulatory processes for every building project to prevent such incidents and safeguard public safety.
The City of Johannesburg, EMS sends its heartfelt condolences to all the families of this tragic incident. The scene was handed over to South African Police Service (SAPS).
‘Deeper structural issues’
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson visited the site on Tuesday afternoon and said the Council for the Built Environment (CBE), which regulates professionals in the construction sector, would investigate whether negligence or misconduct took place. “As I have said before, we should never normalise the collapse of any building. Buildings are not meant to collapse, and therefore, there must have been serious failures that led to the tragedy we witnessed. We are determined to get to the bottom of this and will release the findings publicly once the investigation has concluded. We will not hesitate to take action against any individual found to be complicit,” said Minster Macpherson.
He said the collapse was the third in three months, after the Soweto incident and another in Doornfontein in February. “We need to be frank in acknowledging that repeated building collapses point to deeper structural issues that must be urgently reviewed to improve building safety and construction oversight. As we work to turn South Africa into a construction site, it is critical that we do so in an environment where building construction can be trusted and the loss of life avoided. By working together to find solutions, I have no doubt that we can strengthen the regulatory environment and build a better South Africa.”
Company appoints investigators
The developer of the Ormonde building, New Order Investments, confirmed that concrete slabs had collapsed. “Our immediate priority has been the safety and welfare of all individuals on-site. Emergency services responded promptly and we are working closely with them to ensure that all necessary measures are taken,” said the company, through attorney Sinenhlanhla Mnguni.
“New Order has appointed an independent professional team to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the collapse. This team includes structural engineers, health and safety practitioners and other relevant specialists. The purpose of the investigation is to establish the facts, assess compliance with all applicable building and safety standards, and determine the appropriate remedial steps.”
Sources: Xolile Khumalo, media liaison officer, City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services; Daily Maverick
