KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has called for those responsible for the tragic collapse of the River Range Temple in Verulam, north of Durban, to be held accountable. The incident, which occurred on Friday, has so far claimed at least five lives, while many others were injured. Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number of people who may still be trapped under the rubble.
Premier Ntuli visited the disaster site on Sunday, expressing concern over the incident and the urgent need for clarity regarding its causes. He emphasised that the ongoing investigation must determine whether the collapse was due to structural failures, negligence during construction, or any other preventable factors.
“We are hoping that we will know the truth as to whether there were really reasons for this to happen or whether there was carelessness during the construction,” Ntuli said. “If there are engineers that were involved, we will also have to know whether those engineers were fit for purpose. It is important that we prevent more occurrences in the province before we experience more.”
Emergency services have been working tirelessly to rescue anyone who may still be trapped. The province’s authorities have pledged to provide support to the families affected by the tragedy, including immediate medical attention and counselling services.
The collapse has sparked questions about building safety standards and regulatory oversight in KwaZulu-Natal, with officials promising to review construction practices to prevent similar disasters in the future. As investigations continue, the Premier stressed the importance of holding all responsible parties accountable to ensure public safety and restore confidence in local building regulations.