ULUNDI, 23 APRIL 2026 – The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has commended the decisive action taken by emergency personnel who rescued two workers at a Ballito construction site yesterday.
The incident occurred during the morning hours when a sudden soil collapse trapped two employees, both in their late thirties, pinning them from the knees down.
Following a distress call at 11h30, the KwaDukuza Fire Services arrived on-site and initiated a high-stakes extraction operation.
In a seamless display of inter-agency collaboration, the fire services worked alongside IPSS Medical to stabilise the site and free the trapped men within 60 minutes.
Both individuals, who sustained minor injuries, were transported to a Durban-based medical facility for further observation.
“The precision and speed demonstrated by the disaster management teams who attended to the incident prevented what could have been a tragedy,” said MEC Buthelezi. “This successful operation underscores the efficiency of our provincial disaster response framework and our commitment to protecting the lives of all citizens.”
While expressing relief at the outcome, the MEC issued a stern reminder regarding occupational hazards. “While we wish these workers a full recovery, this incident serves as a reminder that safety on construction sites is non-negotiable.
The Department calls on all contractors to ensure rigid adherence to safety protocols to prevent future occurrences of this nature.”
