Durban businessman Jay Singh dies at 57
Durban businessman Jay Singh has died.
He was the CEO of the controversial construction company - Gralio Precast.
Gralio was the contractor responsible for the construction of the Tongaat Mall - which collapsed nearly seven years ago - - killing two people and injuring 29 others.
According to a family spokesperson - Singh died this morning in a Durban hospital apparently after experiencing breathing difficulties.
He was 57.
It's understood Singh had also been undergoing dialysis following a kidney transplant a few years ago.
The businessman and his company were thrust into spotlight following the Tongaat Mall tragedy in November 2013.
A Labour Department Commission of Inquiry found several contraventions - including health and safety regulations- and shoddy workmanship in the construction of the shopping centre.
It emerged that only seven out of 19 steel reinforcement bars were used in the construction of beam seven - thought to have been one of the triggers of the partial collapse.
The commission also heard that under-qualified supervisors were used on the project.
In 2014 - Singh's assets totalling around R400 million - were seized. This followed findings of irregularities in a Phoenix housing project.
Despite this - Singh's company continued to win contracts from eThekwini Municipality.
