4 March 2026: Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) extends its deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the tragic building collapse in Ormonde, south of Johannesburg, this week.

“No family should have to endure such a preventable loss. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this devastating incident,” says CESA CEO Chris Campbell. 

“However, as a country, we must ask a difficult but necessary question: for how much longer will we continue to say “sorry” after lives are lost, without addressing the systemic failures that allow these tragedies to occur?”

South Africa does not lack building regulations, explains Campbell. “We have established processes, professional standards, and statutory requirements designed to protect lives. The challenge lies not in the absence of oversight frameworks, but in the consistent enforcement, public awareness, and institutional capacity required to make them work.”

Click here to download this Media Statement in a Word document format.