SACPCMP Highlights Criticality of Utilising Registered Building Inspectors in the Wake of the Gauteng Building Collapse

In the aftermath of the recent building collapse in Johannesburg this week, the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) makes this urgent statement to demonstrate the criticality of utilising registered Building Inspectors on all construction infrastructure projects.

“Registered Professionals provide the necessary experience and skills required to ensure that projects are executed to the standards that guarantee sustainability and the safety of structures.  The ONLY lawful way to assure that structures are erected in alignment with the correct and procedural building practices, is to appoint registered Building Inspectors on projects to monitor progress and highlight risk or misalignment in building standards,” said SACPCMP President, Ms. Sharon Shunmugam. 

The statement follows the partial collapse of a building in Ormonde in the south of Johannesburg on Monday, 2 March 2026.  Several persons lost their lives, while others were injured.  It has been reported by collapse investigators that several contraventions in building standards and procedures were noted, as well as the absence of building plans altogether (as commented by Mayor of Johannesburg, Cllr. Sello Enoch Dada Morero, to media outlets this week).

“We have repeatedly reiterated to industry and the public – the safety of the public is a priority, and where construction and related processes fail to adhere to the regulated standards of safety and construction management, the breakdown or collapse of structures is a likely eventuality,” said Shunmugam.  “The utilisation of professionals within the construction environment is essential to ensuring that standards are adhered to, and the highest quality of outputs within the Built Environment comes to the fore.  The SACPCMP is deeply saddened and immensely concerned that to date, our sector is still facing incidents where the most basic lawful construction requirements are flouted, and lives are lost.”

Ms Shunmugam noted that the appointment of a professional, registered Building Inspector in such instances would certainly bring irregularities to the fore and highlight risks that would result in safeguarding both infrastructure and those working on site.

“It is a travesty that once again, we see lives lost in an event where this could have been fully prevented if regulations were properly followed.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones due to this tragedy, and we are, as a Council, ready to assist the relevant authorities in their investigation of this incident.”