Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read | 04 March 2026

The ninth body to be retrieved in Ormonde following the building collapse on 3 March 2026 // source- Daily Maverick (Photo: Reitumetse Pilane)

The death toll in the Ormonde building collapse in Johannesburg has risen to nine, following the recovery of three additional bodies on Thursday morning. The two-storey structure, which was still under construction, came down earlier this week, trapping construction workers beneath concrete slabs and heavy debris.

Search and rescue operations, led by Johannesburg Emergency Services, resumed at first light after being suspended overnight due to safety concerns. Emergency personnel worked meticulously through unstable rubble to locate and recover those trapped.

In an interview with Radio Islam International, Spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi confirmed that the building had been constructed in violation of municipal bylaws. “The City of Johannesburg has confirmed that the building was constructed in violation of municipal bylaws,” he said, adding that structural instability continued to pose a serious threat even after rescue efforts concluded.

“There is a high chance that the building, we might have a secondary collapse,” Mulaudzi warned. “Because of the structural instability of the building itself, we had to make sure that we exercise caution while we’re rescuing those who were trapped.”

The collapse has once again highlighted growing concerns around non-compliant construction across the city. Mulaudzi expressed alarm at the number of buildings that fail to meet regulatory standards. “We are really concerned with the number of buildings which are not complying with our city’s regulations. It’s either buildings which are hijacked or buildings which are built without proper approval from the city,” he said.

He stressed that non-compliant structures pose risks beyond collapse, including fire hazards and other safety threats. “It’s very important for our residents to make sure that when they’ve got this building which they’re constructing, they need to follow the right procedure so that we can be able to prevent incidents like this one.”

Earlier in the day, Deputy Labour Minister Jomo Sibiya visited the site as preliminary investigations got underway into the cause of the disaster.

Of the injured, several remain in critical condition. “They sustain serious injuries. We call them priority one,” Mulaudzi explained. Victims were transported to Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Life Garden City Hospital for urgent medical treatment. Many survivors endured between five and six hours trapped beneath rubble before being rescued.

With all victims now accounted for, the scene has officially been handed over to the South African Police Service for further investigation. Authorities are expected to determine accountability as the city grapples with yet another preventable tragedy.

Listen to the full interview on Radio Islam with Annisa Essack and Robert Malaudzi.