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Part of the ceiling at Northgate Shopping Centre collapsed on Saturday, 27 December, prompting concern among shoppers and social media users.
Videos of the incidents quickly circulated online, drawing widespread attention.
In the video posted by Inside Edge X account, a man is seen pushing a trolley backwards as water begins to drizzle from the ceiling. Moments later, shoppers can be seen running away before a section of the roof collapses, with screams heard in the background.
Fortunately, no one appeared to be standing directly beneath the affected area at the time of the collapse, and no injuries were reported.
😱🇿🇦Ceiling boards falls at Northgate Shopping Mall 🏬 in Randburg, Johannesburg following heavy downpours ⛈️ pic.twitter.com/kCmibzt0Ua
— Inside Edge (@4Inside_Edge) December 28, 2025
The shopping centre released a statement on Sunday confirming the incident and assuring consumers that the centre remains open and operational. According to management, the collapse was caused by heavy rainfall that had affected the area.
"Initial assessments indicate that severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall and hail over a short period, contributed to water build-up in box gutters. This resulted in water overflow and an isolated partial ceiling collapse. Importantly, there has been no damage to the roof structure itself, and the overall integrity of the building remains sound," management said in a statement posted on Facebook.
"Our facilities and technical teams, together with relevant specialists, are actively assessing the impacted area as well as surrounding sections of the centre to determine the necessary repairs and ensure they are carried out safely and efficiently. The safety and well-being of our shoppers, tenants, and staff remain our highest priority, and all appropriate safety protocols are in place. We will continue to provide verified updates as assessments progress and thank our community for their cooperation and understanding," read the statement.
Johannesburg has experienced persistent rainfall since November, with flooding reported in several parts of the city. The Joburg Roads Agency released a list of flooding hotspots across the city. Check it out here.
The incident at Northgate Shopping Centre is not the only structural collapse reported over the weekend. In a separate tragedy, a double-storey building collapsed in Doornkop, Soweto, in the early hours of Sunday. Two adults and one child lost their lives, while three others who were trapped beneath the rubble were taken to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. They are currently receiving medical attention.
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