Minister Expresses Condolences After Redcliffe Building Collapse Claims Five Lives

Tragedy Strikes Redcliffe Construction Site

A four-story building under construction at the New Ahobilam Temple of Protection in Redcliffe, Verulam, north of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, tragically collapsed on Friday, December 12, 2025, around midday. The incident, which occurred during a ready-mix concrete pouring operation, has claimed the lives of five individuals, with several others sustaining injuries. Rescue operations have been ongoing, with emergency teams working tirelessly to recover those trapped beneath the rubble.

Minister Pledges Support and Investigation

Dean Macpherson, the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, visited the disaster site on Saturday, December 13, 2025, to express his deepest condolences to the affected families and to offer full support to the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts. He was accompanied by KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi, and KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Martin Meyer. Minister Macpherson stated that 'This is a deeply distressing incident' and emphasized that 'At this stage, our focus must remain on the rescue and recovery efforts and on supporting affected families.' He further committed to a thorough investigation into the collapse once rescue operations conclude, vowing to overhaul the country's building compliance regulations.

Illegal Construction and Rising Death Toll

Preliminary reports from the eThekwini Municipality indicate that the collapsed structure had no approved building plans, rendering its construction illegal. This revelation has prompted calls for accountability from local officials, including eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba, who visited the scene and promised 'consequence management' if laws were found to have been flouted. The death toll steadily rose from initial reports of four to five confirmed fatalities. Among the deceased are Vick Panday, the temple's founder, Vasudev Data Das, a senior devotee, Kishore Haribhajan, a local farmer, and Jayseelan Perumal, whose son was part of the rescue operations. The search for additional victims continues, though authorities have faced challenges in determining the exact number of people present at the site during the collapse.

Ongoing Rescue Efforts and Community Impact

Emergency services, including the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Disaster Management Centre, have deployed multi-disciplinary teams to the site. Rescuers have faced difficult conditions, with some trapped individuals communicating via voice notes from under the concrete and scaffolding, guiding the urgent efforts. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with families mourning their lost loved ones and seeking answers regarding the cause of the tragedy. The KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli also visited the site, highlighting the province's susceptibility to disasters and pledging support for all investigations into the temple collapse.