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Dysselsdorp Police Station Collapse Sparks R9.8m Lawsuit

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5 hours ago

September 9, 2025

Chiraag

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A promise turned into rubble

A new police station in Dysselsdorp, Karoo, meant to bring security to the community, has instead collapsed before completion. The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) is now suing the appointed contractor, Reder Construction, for nearly R10 million in damages.

What happened

The project, valued at over R39 million, was meant to house essential policing facilities. The building that fell in included the charge office, public waiting area, administration, archives, and safe custody spaces. According to DPWI, the collapse stems from the use of substandard foundation materials, including a failure to apply G5-quality fill in the surface bed.

Court intervention

The Western Cape High Court ordered Reder Construction to hand over details of the materials used. Acting Judge Fareed Moosa ruled that the DPWI’s trial preparation was being compromised, as its geotechnical experts could not assess the soil or foundation without this data. The company now has ten days to provide the requested particulars.

Human rights concerns

Last year, the South African Human Rights Commission inspected the site and found serious safety issues. The station was declared unsafe, with a directive that detainees could not be held in its cells. For a small town like Dysselsdorp, this meant losing access to a functioning police base.

Legal and community fallout

The DPWI argues that poor workmanship and negligent use of materials directly caused the collapse. The department is seeking R9.8 million in damages. Reder Construction’s lawyers have described the order as procedural while they review the judgment. A trial date is still to be set.

Why it matters

This case highlights more than one failed building. It speaks to concerns about quality control in public projects and the real-world impact when infrastructure collapses. For Dysselsdorp residents, the station was meant to be a place of safety. Instead, it became a symbol of promises broken.