South Africa’s Department of Labour (DoL) said that the inquiry into the collapse of the pedestrian and cyclist bridge will resume today (2 July) with testimony from Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA). The latest sitting of the inquiry will continue until 5 July.
The bridge collapsed on 14 October 2015, leading to the deaths of two people and injuries to 19. The inquiry had its first sitting in February 2016. The inquiry last held its sitting on 27 September 2017 and has had subsequent sessions postponed due to what the DoL describes as “a number of challenges”.
A total of 13 sessions are expected to be held between now and September 2018.
Phumudzo Maphaha took over as presiding inspector in March as the prior holder of the post, Lennie Samuel, has taken ill. Maphaha, who is a qualified civil engineer, is executive manager for construction, explosives and major hazard installation at the DoL. He is also a senior specialist in construction health and safety.
Stakeholders in the inquiry include: the Johannesburg Municipality as the client; Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) as the agent; Royal Haskoning DHV an engineering company appointed by JDA as the engineering agent for the project; Murray & Roberts as the principal contractor appointed by JDA; and Form-Scaff, the contractor appointed by MR. There are also lawyers representing various other parties, including those who were injured.
