Structural engineers have begun an investigation into the causes of the collapse of a three-storey Roodepoort building and will provide a detailed report on the incident to the Labour Department.
Departmental spokesperson Page Boikanyo said on Monday that the department will only consider its next action after it has assessed the content of the report. He was not certain how long the investigation would take.
Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana expressed his condolences to the families of the two men who died.
He said employers should ensure that work environments are conducive to worker safety and that employees have all the necessary safety equipment on hand.
On Thursday last week, half of a partially built office block collapsed completely, killing two men and injuring 14 in Little Falls in Roodepoort.
Police spokesperson Inspector Balan Muthan confirmed that police will assist in the criminal investigation and act if the expert findings indicate criminal behaviour.
He said all evidence will have to be gathered and placed before a state prosecutor, who will then decide on behalf of the courts whether to prosecute.
Johannesburg emergency management services spokesperson Percy Morokane identified the dead as Malawian Arnold Mwale (19) and Mozambican Arthur Nombora (24).
Nombora’s body was trapped under the rubble until emergency workers retrieved it on Saturday. — Sapa