FIRST RESPONDERS:
FEAR, frustration and shock shook staff and patients at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg yesterday after a section of its roof collapsed, leaving five people injured.
So serious was the collapse that Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi, Gauteng Premier David Makhura and Gauteng MEC for Health Gwen Ramokgopa braved the torrential rain that flooded most parts of Johannesburg and rushed to the hospital.
Amidst the chaos of trying to move to a safer area and also trying to help those trapped beneath the rubble, a man was heard asking security personnel what would happen as his father was due for an operation.
Hospital staff could only ask him to move to the casualty area where people were standing with anxious looks on their faces.
Allegations are that maintenance workers were on the roof, repairing leaks when it collapsed.
The search efforts began in the rain around 3pm.
Search-and-rescue teams brought in sniffer dogs to check underneath the rubble for any trapped people.
Heavy machinery including steel reinforcers, grinders and ECG machines were being wheeled into the disaster area – because the rubble was estimated to have been the size of a tipper truckload.
MEC for infrastructure development Jacob Mamabolo said the department would take action against the contractors for negligence.
He said the construction company, Thanzanani Trading Enterprises, was told to stop all work and move off site.
Ramokgopa said the affected area at the hospital entrance would not be accessible to the public.
Signage would be put up to direct people to alternative entrances.
Hospital functions would not be affected, Ramokgopa said.
The hospital’s infrastructure had been a point of contention with a report, released almost a year ago, stating parts of the building were in need of urgent repairs.
The DA shadow health MEC, Jack Bloom, said staff at the hospital had warned in the past of leaking roofs and other structural problems.
A shop steward whose identity is being withheld, as she fears being victimised, said there were other areas of the building that needed to be fixed.
Staff had warned hospital management since October last year, she said.