Mbabane – The Eswatini Contractors Association has called for a transparent and comprehensive investigation into the structural collapse at Bhunu Mall in Manzini, which claimed one life and left others injured.
The incident occurred on 19 August 2026 during renovation work at the shopping centre. Emergency medical teams, fire and rescue personnel and law enforcement officers responded to the scene.
In a statement issued by the association, its chairman, Reuben Msibi, conveyed condolences to the family of the deceased, colleagues and everyone affected by the incident. 
The association said it would not speculate on the cause of the collapse while formal investigations are being conducted by statutory authorities, municipal inspectors and independent engineering experts.
It called for all parties involved in the construction process to account for their responsibilities, saying the investigation should be guided by transparency and accountability.
“Buildings do not collapse on their own, and every layer of the construction value chain must be scrutinized,” the association said.
The association also committed itself to cooperating with the authorities as they work to establish what caused the collapse.
It said the safety, health and welfare of the public, workers and other stakeholders should take precedence over commercial interests.
The association further announced plans to introduce safety master classes and compliance interventions for registered contractors once the official investigation reports have been finalised.
According to the association, the programmes will assist contractors to learn from the failures identified during the investigation and improve safety practices across the construction industry.
The contractors’ body also reminded the public that construction projects involve several professional disciplines and responsibilities.
It said contractors carry out work according to designs, specifications and instructions provided by structural engineers and architectural consultants appointed by the client.
The association said this professional chain of responsibility should be considered as part of the investigation into the Bhunu Mall incident.
The government has also launched an occupational safety and health investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the collapse and assess compliance with applicable safety requirements.
The Eswatini Contractors Association said it would continue engaging government, regulators, professionals and other stakeholders to strengthen construction standards and promote a safer built environment in the Kingdom.
