CMF
1Min
South Africa
Dec 29, 2025
The Collen Mashawana Foundation has stepped in to support the Xaba family after a double-storey building collapse in Doornkop, Soweto, killed three people, including a child. City officials confirmed the structure was illegally built in a dolomitic area, while the foundation provided relief and committed to housing support.
The Collen Mashawana Foundation has conducted a site visit to the Xaba family in Doornkop, Soweto, following the tragic collapse of a double-storey building that claimed the lives of three people, including a child.
The visit on Monday was led by Dr Collen Mashawana and attended by City of Johannesburg executives and councillors, including Executive Mayor Dada Morero, Speaker of Council Margaret Arnolds and MMC for Housing and Human Settlements Mlungisi Mabaso.
City officials confirmed that the collapsed structure had been illegally built and failed to comply with safety standards and building regulations. The Department of Development Planning said the structure was erected without approved building plans and was located in an area classified as dolomitic, making it unsafe for human habitation.
Authorities noted that residents had previously been relocated from the area due to known safety risks. However, some later returned and rebuilt structures despite warnings about the dangers.
In response to the tragedy, the Collen Mashawana Foundation provided immediate relief to the affected family, including food parcels, mattresses and blankets. The foundation has also committed to assisting with funeral arrangements through its partnership with Baroka Funerals, demolishing the remaining structure and urgently constructing a temporary house for the family.
The MMC for Human Settlements further confirmed that the Xaba family would be allocated a permanent home in a new housing development currently under construction.
Dr Mashawana urged communities to be cautious about where they build their homes, warning that some areas have been officially declared high-risk zones. He emphasised that while the foundation remains committed to supporting families during times of disaster, many such tragedies are preventable if safety regulations are followed.
The Collen Mashawana Foundation extended its condolences to the Xaba family and reaffirmed its commitment to providing compassionate and dignified support to communities affected by tragedy.
