Investigations into the collapse of a partially completed office block have been put on hold until a worker believed to be trapped under the rubble is found, the Labour Department said on Friday.
Spokesperson Page Boikanyo said preliminary investigations had been conducted into the collapse of the three-storey building in Roodepoort, Gauteng.
A notice was served to the contractors to stop building on the site until the department’s investigations were completed.
The preliminary probe will be followed by a detailed investigation after the missing worker is found. Civilian and departmental experts will be asked to assist in the investigations, Boikanyo said.
Departmental building inspectors inspected the site on Thursday and served a notice to stop building to the contractors for the entire site.
Honeydew police Inspector Karen Jacobs said attempts to rescue the trapped worker had halted at about 10am because the area where sniffer dogs had reacted and rescuers were working had started to collapse.
The rubble was loose and earth-moving equipment was being used to dig it out from one side.
Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana was on site, Jacobs said. — Sapa