The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements has expressed concerns over the possible flouting of building regulations at Meyersdal Eco Estate in Gauteng.

Part of a luxury house under construction in the Meyersdal Eco Estate collapsed last week while builders were working on it on, killing seven workers and injuring a further eight.

NHBRC to investigate

The National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) has sent a structural engineer and an inspector to the site of the collapsed house to properly investigate the project.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and ensure that we play our part as the NHBRC and sensitise the public on the potential dangers that could result from structural failure due to sub-standard workmanship,” says Dr. Jeffrey Mahachi, head of the NHBRC Centre for Research and Housing Innovation.

The human settlements committee has expressed hope the probe by the NHBRC will help determine whether the construction companies involved in the incident followed all the rules.

Lawbreakers must face the music

“Construction companies are, by law, expected to adhere to the requirements stipulated in the building regulations. If it so happens that the ones involved in this incident failed to do so, they will have to face the music,” said committee chairperson Nocawe Mafu.

The committee also said they would request the NHBRC to table their findings in order to ensure that proper penalties are handed to those found to be at fault.