Engineer Rob Young, appointed by Gralio Precast (Pty) Ltd to investigate the collapse of the Tongaat Mall, says there were serious problems with the previous engineer’s design plans.

Speaking at the Department of Labour’s commission of inquiry into the mall’s collapse, Young said he and his team had reviewed structural engineer Andre Ballack’s plans for the mall. Young says they found material defects that could have led to the collapse.

There will be a site visit by all engineers on 10 March when the controlled removal of debris will take place. According to Young, it is necessary to remove the collapsed slab to examine pillars and other items to determine the cause of the collapse.

During the inquiry it emerged that there had never been any health and safety audits carried out. In addition, site foreman Ronnie Pillay told the commission that in the days leading to the collapse, one of the concrete slabs sagged by 70 millimetres. He said he had also raised concerns over the thickness of the pillars, as well as the lift shaft.

Young, Ballack, an engineer from the eThekwini metro municipality, and an engineer from the Engineering Council of SA are expected to be questioned by the commission in early June. Head of the commission and labour department occupational health and safety manager Phumudzo Maphaha hopes to present his findings by the end of August.