Minister of Housing and Urban Development Appolo Maphalala has assured Parliament that Bhunu Mall in Eswatini is structurally sound for human occupation and use. This statement was made in response to a question from Kubuta MP Masiphula Mamba, who inquired about the current state of the mall following a recent incident. On August 18, a worker, Tiyandza Masilela, lost her life when a concrete slab collapsed on her while she was working at the mall.
The incident prompted concerns about the safety of the building, with MPs pressing for a full report on the matter. Mamba asked if a technical inspection was conducted by experts after the incident and if there was a report confirming that the building is still habitable. He also requested the minister to table a report containing the events that led to the death and injury of workers. Minister Maphalala stated that the building had previously been affected by a fire outbreak about two years ago.
Following the fire incident, a structural assessment was conducted by engineers and officers from the Fire and Emergency Rescue Services, who gave clearance for continued occupation. The minister emphasized that the usage of the building was in order and that there is nothing to contradict the report that the mall is safe. However, he noted that they are still waiting for a more technical report on what led to the incident that claimed a life at Bhunu Mall.
Some MPs expressed concerns about the safety of the building, citing observations of ongoing renovations while people were still working inside. Phondo MP Bonginkhosi Dube stated that he had visited the mall and assessed that it was dangerous for people to be working while renovations were ongoing. Mamba followed up on his question, asking when a complete report could be tabled in the House and how the minister could be confident that the building was safe while assessments were still being done.
Minister Maphalala explained that there is a concept called partial occupation for multi-level structures, which is allowed in law. This allows people to use the building while works continue, but with stringent conditions on how the works proceed. He stated that this would be revealed in the technical report on how the process was undertaken. The minister also mentioned that consultations had been held with the lawyers of the family of the deceased.
The technical report is expected to provide more insight into the incident and the safety of the building. The minister assured that the report would be independent and that the lawyers would rely on it. He also referred the family of the deceased to where necessary. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of buildings in Eswatini and the need for thorough assessments and reports.
The case highlights the importance of ensuring that buildings are safe for occupation and use. The minister's assurance that Bhunu Mall is structurally sound has provided some relief, but the technical report is still awaited. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and strict adherence to safety regulations in the construction and maintenance of buildings.
Key points
- Bhunu Mall is structurally sound for human occupation and use, according to Minister Appolo Maphalala.
- A technical report is expected to provide more insight into the incident that claimed a life at Bhunu Mall.
- The incident has raised concerns about the safety of buildings in Eswatini and the need for thorough assessments and reports.
