The Polokwane Municipality has announced plans to take firm legal action against shop owners after a horrific incident claimed the life of a 36-year-old woman at the Mankweng Shopping Complex in Limpopo. The victim, identified as Paulina Letsoalo from Mantjane Village in Ga-Mothapo, was fatally injured when a section of a building collapsed on Wednesday, 22 October.
According to witnesses, Paulina was using the restroom on the second floor of the shop when the structure suddenly gave way. While other employees managed to escape without harm, she was trapped beneath the debris. Efforts to rescue her were unsuccessful, and she was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Community members have since expressed outrage, stating that the shop had experienced multiple incidents before the collapse. Reports indicate that the same premises had suffered three separate fire incidents in recent months, raising concerns about the safety and legality of its operations.
Polokwane Mayor John Mpe visited the site following the tragedy and confirmed that the municipality had never issued an occupational certificate for the shop to operate. He described the situation as a clear case of negligence and announced that the municipality would open a criminal case against the building’s owners.
“The loss of a life under such circumstances is unacceptable,” said Mayor Mpe. “No business should operate without meeting the required safety standards. We will ensure that those responsible face the full might of the law.”
He also emphasized that the municipality would be tightening its inspection processes to prevent similar incidents in the future. “We will not allow buildings without proper occupational certification to operate. Safety must always come before profit,” he added.
The tragic death of Paulina has sparked outrage and sorrow in her home village of Mantjane. Community members and local leaders gathered to pay tribute to her, describing her as a hardworking woman who supported her family. It was reported that she was the main breadwinner and had been looking forward to celebrating her 36th birthday just days after the incident.
Chief Masetla, a respected community leader, condemned the continuous negligence of the shop owners and urged authorities to take strong action. “This was not the first incident at that shop. We have lost one of our own because of carelessness. We demand justice,” he said.
Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that a case of inquest had been opened at the Mankweng Police Station. The investigation is ongoing as police work to determine the exact cause of the collapse.
Mayor Mpe also visited the Letsoalo family to offer condolences and assure them that the municipality would pursue justice. He pledged that the tragedy would serve as a wake-up call for businesses operating illegally or without proper safety measures.
The incident has reignited discussions about the enforcement of building and safety regulations across Limpopo. Many residents are calling for stricter oversight to prevent more lives from being lost due to unsafe working environments.
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