Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero on March 3 said the death toll in the collapse of a two-storey building under construction in Ormonde had increased to nine, while the process to identify the owners of the building was still under way.

Addressing media at the construction site, he confirmed that the collapse had occurred at about noon on March 2. He said the building, for which no plans were submitted to the city for approval, was "not structurally sound" and would eventually be demolished.

The mayor said the 12 construction workers injured or killed in the incident were from South Africa and Lesotho. One body remained trapped in the rubble on the morning of March 3. Three workers were in hospital.

The city intends to file charges against the owners of the building and the developers once these entities have been traced.

Construction contractors body Master Builders South Africa (MBSA) has expressed its condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those killed in the collapse.

"Our thoughts are also with the injured and all those affected by this devastating event,” said MBSA president Sam Ngcongo.

MBSA reiterates that the safety and wellbeing of construction workers and the public remain central to the organisation’s mandate. Through its regional associations across the country, MBSA continues to promote a strong culture of occupational health and safety, regulatory compliance, skills development, and ethical building practices within the industry.

“As an industry body, we will await the outcome of the relevant investigations to better understand the circumstances surrounding this incident. Our focus remains on supporting a construction environment that prioritises safety, professionalism and continuous improvement,” added Ngcongo.

Further, umbrella body Construction Alliance South Africa (CASA) has reiterated the importance of safety on construction sites, stating that the construction sector operates within a comprehensive regulatory framework designed to safeguard workers and the public.

It stresses that full compliance with health and safety legislation, building standards and professional oversight mechanisms is fundamental to responsible construction practice.

"We note that the relevant authorities have commenced investigations into the cause of the collapse and it is essential that the facts be established to ensure accountability, where required, to draw lessons for the industry and to prevent similar tragedies in future.

"CASA stands ready to cooperate with authorities and to engage constructively with stakeholders to strengthen safety protocols and oversight mechanisms. We remain committed to advancing a culture of safety, professionalism and integrity within South Africa’s construction industry," the umbrella body said in a statement, adding that its thoughts remained with the families and loved ones of those killed or injured in the building collapse.

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday night also expressed his condolences to the families of those killed in the building collapse, which by then stood at six.