KZN govt saddened by temple victim’s death

The Verulam temple collapse.

KwaZulu-Natal Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer has sent a message of condolence to the victims of a four-story temple that collapsed at Redcliffe in the Verulam area, north of Durban.

Meyer says resources will be made available to assist as rescue operations continue.

The department has confirmed one death from the building collapse.

However, a private security company, IPSS says two people died.

Efforts are underway to rescue people trapped after a multi storey temple collapsed in Redcliffe, Verulam. At least one person has been reported dead while about 14 were rescued with minor injuries. #sabcnews #buildingcollapse pic.twitter.com/AYQg3zd6HJ

— Zanele Buthelezi🇿🇦 (@Zanele_Shenge) December 12, 2025

Meyer says investigations into the temple collapse are under way.

He says, “We take the matter of security and safety of workers, and construction sites very seriously as a department. We will give all support that we can as a department and we call on a certain investigation to see what has happened here, and to ensure that this never happens again.”

Meyer adds, “We’re very saddened that there was a death here and we hope that the recovery operation of those who are still trapped will happen, and I know that my colleague, COGTA MEC (Rev Thulasizwe) Buthelezi and his teams are on site assisting, and he’s updating Cabinet regularly as well and Minister MacPherson has informed me that he’s on his way to Durban, and I will visit a site with him tomorrow (Saturday).”