Investigation launched after three die in Doornkop building collapse

Bulelwa Hoala

Three people, including a one-year-old child, died after a double-storey building collapsed in Doornkop, Soweto.
Public Works Minister Dean McPherson has ordered an investigation by the Council for the Built Environment.
Authorities say the probe will be transparent and aimed at accountability and preventing future incidents.

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean McPherson has requested an investigation following the collapse of a double-storey building in Doornkop, Soweto, which left three people dead and three others injured on Sunday, 28 December 2025.

According to The Citizen, those who died include a one-year-old child and two women.

The City of Johannesburg’s Emergency Management Services (EMS) rescued three people who were trapped under the rubble and transported them to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital for treatment.

In a statement, McPherson extended his condolences to the affected families and confirmed that he has requested the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) to investigate the cause of the collapse.

The minister said the CBE will identify those responsible and take the necessary steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.

He emphasised that the investigation will be transparent, with cooperation from relevant regulatory authorities, and that appropriate action will be taken once the probe is concluded.

“This is a deeply distressing incident. My thoughts and condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, and with all those who were injured as a result of this tragic collapse. As the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, we are committed to accountability and to ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to strengthen safety and oversight across the construction sector in order to protect both workers and the public,” McPherson said.