Citizens react to Nando's (Bulawayo) building collapse - Live Update

All the Buildings around that area are Old and the rains have further compounded the problem. The fact that the roofing was leaking illustrates that the building needs to be razed to the ground and a new building constructed. I was shocked to notice that the NUST Administration Building developed some cracks and the Clueless Administration there asked a company to just plaster over the cracks. The Issue might be more serious and requires Structural Engineers to Assess the stability of that Building. The cracks may be signs of an impending disaster. Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. - The Silent Observer

They should be sued for neglect and bad administration of property... the inspector who inspected the building before renovation should be questioned in front of a jury why he/she didn't foresee disaster if found guilty should be arrested. Simbisa should pay compensation fees to all families of the affected and all medical bills... the injured must sue Simbasa holdings - Allan Ali Nobula

I thought that place was recently refurbished, how did that happen without anyone noticing the anomaly?? - Buyiselani Ngwenya

We have received once again with shock the collapse of another food outlet from the Simbisa Holding stable in less than two years.



We are concerned that this is the building that has recently been renovated, assumably to world class standard. To us it reveals that this was indeed a showddy job that was done, it smacks of capilatist tendencies that pays less attention to the safety of the public and the workers yet granting huge profits to the business owners.



We condemn this bussiness attitude that puts humanlife in danger. We believe that it is now of public interest for Simbisa holdings to reveal the names of the engineers and the companies that were involved in this renovation that puts our lives in danger. We call upon the construction union and the engineers association to take stern measures against the companies that are involved.



The Bulawayo City Council so has burden of revealing to the public the inspectors that approved the building, we cant afford to have those that we pay with our har earned rates sleeping on duty yet smile to the bank.



Ibhetshu has already instructed its human rights lawyers to look at the available legal options that we may take to protect the interests of the public against this profiteering and exploitation.



Mbuso Fuzwayo

Secretary General

Authorities should audit the building records. - Ncube Maroe-Alpha Thandanani

My view on that Nando's building is they should consider a safer building to rent not to take old ones and they should maintain their buildings and inspect then regular. - Tanyaradzwa chipanyama

Substandard structures, no inspections.This could be a double storey housing collapsing on sleeping people. - Ephraim Ziki

The whole block needs to be demolished and rebuilt they too old. Get another engineer who knows what they doing and do quality groundworks - Precious Faith Chikanda

This is not the first time that Innscor outlets have had falling roofs etc in the last 5 years or so in Bulawayo. Simbisa holdings have been sidelining BYO companies for the renovations done at their outlets in BYO and my question after this incidence, will they bring their Zvishavane company to come and to the renovations as if in Byo there are no reputable companies? - Njabulo

They'll hide behind the, it's rented property but, they're liable for any injuries to the public unless they have an, enter at your own risk policy. they must make routine inspections - Sipho Bongani Sibanda

A commercial building renovated in 2010 and has now collapsed... Did the City Council inspect and approve the renovations? - Maureen Khumalo

They can still sue... claim for injuries sustained etc - Imbizo Foram

If this was in the USA those injured were going to sue the city council for failing to inspect that building. - Sikhululekile Bhoboza Sibanda

"What are the circumstances of the 'collapse' (Bulawayo Nando's collapse), was it due to structural fatigue, if so why wasn't it picked up earlier- the council should make available for everyone to see the inspection records of/to the said building." #Inkantoloyombonokazulu - Imbizo Foram

On yo previous post about this matter someone said he was there a few days before the collapse. and the the roof was leaking. so someone has to take a blame for this...surely it wasn't because of rain - Servious Nkala

We can only judge if we know the history of the building. People who works there can help leading the investigation team. Someone knows the whole story. - Sikhululekile Bhoboza Sibanda

Commission of enquiry or no commission blame Simbisa holdings....old buildings are not meant to be added weight upon. Those are mud bricks which are not reinforced by concrete.


They give bribes to engineers and council inspectorate to pass their buildings so that they make money chop chop.


Ask any general builder if a 100 year old building built before concrete tech was the in thing should be burdened by new weights he will tell you at your own risk - Frank Mzondiwa

Before we air our views on whether it was avoidable or not. There is a commission of enquiry that is supposed to be set & investigate the cause/'s. It will come up with a report. From that report l think we will be in a better position to tell if it was avoidable or not. We cannot just base our opinions on images making rounds on social media as we won't get enough relevant data. - Kanyaga Kazangarare