MacPherson to inspect Inanda church collapse site as rescue operations continue

Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson is expected to visit the site of a deadly structural failure in Inanda as emergency teams continue rescue efforts after a retaining wall collapsed during a church gathering on Monday, 13 July 2026.

What happened

The eThekwini Municipality said the incident occurred at eBuhleni Village in Inanda, north of Durban, when an approximately 18‑metre retaining wall suddenly gave way during a church service. The collapse left at least 10 church members injured and several more buried under rubble.

Rescue update and official statements

Divisional Commander at the eThekwini Municipality Fire Services Directorate, Bruce De Gier, said:

“Initial reports indicate that approximately 20 congregants were in close proximity to the wall when it collapsed, trapping multiple people beneath the debris.”

Macpherson’s spokesperson, James de Villiers, said the minister will be joined at the site by eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba.

Policy context

The collapse comes after what The Citizen describes as a string of major, deadly structural failures across the country over the last two years, which prompted national government action.

Earlier this month, Macpherson unveiled a national framework at the Public Works and Infrastructure Summit in Modderfontein, Johannesburg. The framework, titled “From Collapse to Confidence: Strengthening Public and Building Safety, Asset Management and Infrastructure Delivery,” aims to tighten safety standards, strengthen professional certification and embed accountability across the construction sector.

Macpherson said the initiative represents a

“decisive shift from reactive responses to proactive prevention.”

The framework will introduce new regulations to be gazetted through the Council for the Built Environment, with a focus on structural integrity in high‑risk areas such as dolomitic land.

The initiative also proposes a Public Infrastructure Confidence Index to monitor performance and credibility, with rollout planned in phases and enforcement details expected in the coming months.

Next steps

Macpherson’s planned visit and ongoing rescue operations are the immediate priorities as authorities work at the collapse site. Further details on casualties, the rescue outcome and any official investigations were not provided in the source material.