A wall under construction at the Nazareth Baptist Church complex in Inanda, Durban, collapsed on Monday afternoon, injuring twelve construction workers, eight of whom required hospitalisation.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson visited the site on Tuesday, acknowledging the incident as a 'miracle' that no lives were lost.

He pledged to strengthen building safety regulations and collaborate with the Shembe Christian movement to improve construction practices at the site.

The cause of the collapse remains under investigation, with authorities awaiting confirmation from eThekwini Municipality on whether approved building plans were in place.

Macpherson emphasised the need for a thorough probe by the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) and highlighted a national campaign to enhance construction safety protocols.

Emergency responders faced challenges due to unstable soil and the site's religious significance, with some witnesses noting that the area is considered sacred.

The incident has sparked calls for stricter oversight in construction projects, particularly in religious and community spaces, as stakeholders urge collaboration between government, religious leaders, and built-environment specialists to prevent future tragedies.