THE Architects Council of Zimbabwe (ACZ) says local authorities should tighten approval of building plans to minimise loss of life.
REPORT BY STAFF REPORTER
This follows the death of a builder after a building owned by Mohamed Mussa Wholesalers collapsed killing one person on the spot while several workers were injured in Harare on Tuesday.
ACZ chairman William Kurebgaseka yesterday said the incident provided an opportune time to appeal to local authorities “to ensure that they approve building plans that have been authored by qualified personnel only and not anyone who can draw as appears to be the case at present”.
He said the accident that occurred at the construction site at Mohamed Mussa was regrettable and “our sympathies go to the bereaved family and those who were injured”.
“Local authority departments that are responsible for approving building plans have a huge responsibility of ensuring that buildings are safe,” Kurebgaseka said.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Mussa Wholesalers yesterday said: “We would like to put it on record that full and impartial investigations on what transpired have already commenced and these are being carried out with the support of relevant authorities like NSSA and Harare City Council.
“We would also like to point out that Mahomed Mussa wholesalers, while responsible for that building, we are not into the construction industry. As soon as we heard of the mishap we immediately stopped business as a mark of respect for the deceased and because we value the life of the builder and the injured in the accident, we are working with their company to establish their families’ details so that we can render our assistance during their bereavement and recovery.”
