Letter linked to disaster

QUESTIONS have arisen over a letter praising the work of the builders of the collapsed Tongaat mall, used to obtain a low-cost housing contract from the eThekwini municipality.

This follows an announcement this week by the National Home Builders’ Registration Council (NHBRC) that it would investigate all projects under construction by Woodglaze Trading and Gralio Precast.

Gralio was the company building the Tongaat mall which collapsed on November 19, killing two people and injuring 29 others.

Following the accident questions arose over the quality of Gralio’s workmanship.

The municipality was criticised over the awarding of a contract to Gralio as part of the Cornubia low-cost housing development in Mount Edgecombe.

eThekwini municipal manager Sibusiso Sithole said he had tried to prevent Gralio from being awarded the contract in 2011.

But the municipality’s appeals authority overturned Sithole’s decision after new evidence emerged, including a letter from the NHBRC praising the quality of Gralio’s work.

Comment could not be obtained from the municipality.

NHBRC spokeswoman Molebogeng Taunyane said the NHBRC would complete its probe before the end of next week. – Sapa