Pretoria: Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson has raised alarms over the state of building safety following investigations into four recent building collapses in South Africa. The investigations, conducted between December last year and March this year, highlight recurring weaknesses within the country's built-environment system.

According to South African Government News Agency, the investigations found that inconsistent implementation, inadequate oversight, weak enforcement, and non-compliance are the principal issues plaguing the system. Minister Macpherson emphasized the need for modernizing and strengthening the regulatory framework to address these challenges effectively. These findings were disclosed during a presentation in Pretoria, where Macpherson discussed the incidents in Redcliffe in Verulam, eThekwini; Doornkop in Soweto; Ormonde in Johannesburg; and the Magnolia Development in Sea Point, Cape Town, which collectively resulted in 17 fatalities and 24 injuries.

The reports further reveal that unlawful construction practices have become prevalent, with significant projects progressing without prior approval, as seen in Redcliffe and Ormonde. This practice undermines building safety, as it bypasses the critical initial approval process meant to ensure compliance with safety regulations.

Minister Macpherson also pointed out the excessive regulatory focus on the initial building-plan approval stage, which neglects ongoing oversight during the construction phase. He called for enhanced visibility and monitoring by authorities once construction begins to prevent potential risks.

Concerns about municipal capacity and capability were also highlighted, with the investigations identifying shortages of qualified building-control personnel and limited inspection capacity. The reports suggest that municipalities should assess and bolster their enforcement systems to better manage building approvals and inspections.

Professional competence and accountability emerged as another critical issue. The investigations noted failures in supervision and verification of qualifications for those responsible for high-risk work, raising questions about their competence.

Additionally, the reports criticized the lack of information sharing among regulators and the insufficient deterrent effect of penalties for statutory violations. Strengthening sanctions and improving consequence management were among the recommendations made to address these concerns.

Minister Macpherson underscored that these findings are not isolated incidents but rather indicative of deeper structural issues that need urgent attention to enhance building safety. He stressed the importance of proactive risk detection and the need for reliable construction practices to prevent future tragedies as South Africa continues its development efforts.