South African Police Open Murder Case Following Mall Collapse

South African police on Wednesday opened a homicide case following the collapse of a shopping mall under construction in the west KwaZulu-Natal Province.

One person was confirmed dead and 29 others injured in the incident that took place on Tuesday night in Tongaat city, Xinhua news agency reported.
"We are going to do a thorough investigation which will tell us who to charge. At this stage, we cannot say who we are investigating," police spokesperson Thulani Zwane told reporters.

Also on Wednesday, rescuers suspended their search for possible survivors to give time to investigators.

"At this point, we're temporarily stopping any movement on site as we're still looking at logistical issues," said Nhlanhla Khumalo, spokesperson of the department of labour.

Previous reports said about 50 people may have been trapped in the rubble.

Gralio Precast, the construction company responsible for the mall, was accused of foul play which police said could have led to the collapse, according to the local Mercury newspaper.






Source: BERNAMA