Building collapse engineer appealing improper conduct finding

The structural engineer of the collapsed Neo Victoria building is appealing the decision of the Engineering Council of South Africa (Ecsa) to scrap his registration and impose a fine on him in terms of the Engineering Profession Act of 2000.

- Alida de Beer

Atholl Mitchell's attorney, Ryan Hall of Ryan Hall Attorneys, was successful in compelling Ecsa to issue a correction following its initial media statement in July regarding its findings and rulings against the engineer, which Hall argued had been premature.

He had launched urgent proceedings before the Western Cape High Court to apply for an interdict against Ecsa to enforce an amended statement. The council conceded before the court application was to be heard on 12 August.

Hall, in his own media statement, stressed that no adverse findings against Mitchell are "presently final or enforceable".

Ecsa's original statement on 22 July had set out the charges on which Mitchell had been found guilty, and announced that he had been deregistered and fined. In its latest statement it acknowledges the appeal and says the penalties against Mitchell may not be put into effect before the appeal is decided.

On 14 August, the same day that Ecsa's correction was issued, Hall, in his own media statement, stressed that no adverse findings against Mitchell are "presently final or enforceable".