×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Contractor testifies in Tongaat Mall collapse probe

"I was under the impression that everything was in order," controversial Durban businessman Singh told the commission.

The chief executive of Gralio Precast, Jay Singh, is expected to continue with his testimony at the commission of inquiry into the 2013 Tongaat mall collapse on Tuesday.

Gralio Precast is the developing company behind the construction of the mall.

On Monday, Singh said the design engineer of the mall never raised any concerns during its construction.

"I was under the impression that everything was in order," controversial Durban businessman Singh told the commission.

The commission of inquiry was appointed following the structural collapse of the mall on November 19 2013, which claimed the lives of two people and injured 29 others.

Singh denied that engineer Andre Ballack had asked him for test cube results to determine the strength of the concrete being used to build the mall.

Ballack testified during his cross-examination last year that Singh failed on several occasions to furnish him with test cube results to determine the strength of the concrete.

He said he had trusted his foreman Ronnie Pillay, who had been in charge of the site, and that there had been 380 calls between Pillay and Ballack.

Singh said he had raised some concerns with Ballack regarding the building, but Ballack had reassured him that all was in order.

He said he had specifically raised the issue of loading on one beam, but Ballack told him that the beam would hold the weight.

Singh was adamant that he had told Ballack during a meeting that "at the end of the day you [Ballack] are responsible."

He said he had even parked his van and had a braai with contractors on the section of the mall that collapsed.

"I wouldn't park my van there if I knew I had done something wrong."

Singh said that when he had bought the site from the previous developer the plans had been approved, but that the permission to use them from the municipality had expired.

The commission had previously heard that the architect's plans for the mall had not been approved by the eThekwini Municipality and it had issued an order for work on the site to cease.

 

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.