Grayston Drive bridge collapse inquiry completes its work

Friday, July 13, 2018

The Grayston Drive pedestrian and cyclist structural bridge collapse inquiry has completed its work and is awaiting the submission of written heads of arguments by legal representatives by 14 August, said the Department of Labour on Friday.

“This will be followed by written responses to the heads of argument, which are expected to be submitted by 17 September 2018,” the department said.

The Section 32 hearing was set up to investigate the 14 October 2015 incident, which led to the death of two people and 19 others being injured.

The inquiry, which resumed on 2 July following a nine-month lull, completed its work ahead of the 27 September target.

Stakeholders in the inquiry include Johannesburg Municipality as the client and the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) as the agent.

It also included Royal Haskoning DHV, an engineering company appointed by JDA as the engineering agent for the project and Murray & Roberts (MR) as the principal contractor appointed by JDA, among others.

Witnesses that have previously appeared before the inquiry include Professor Roelf J. Mostert, an expert witness representing Murray and Roberts.

Following the latest session, some of the witnesses that appeared before the inquiry included Roxana Le Roux, an environmental, health and safety officer from Nemai Consulting as well as Oliver Aadnesgaard, an employee of Murray & Roberts who worked as an assistant to construction manager during the collapse of the temporary works structure.

The Grayston inquiry had its first sitting in February 2016. – SAnews.gov.za