Testifying at a hearing, Ronnie Pillay a foreman at the site said; he did not have qualifications but his appointment by Durban businessman Jay Singh was based on his 14 years of experience in construction.

Brickworks foreman Prashalen Gounder was also unqualified and was unable to answer questions on the dimensions of a brick.

Construction regulations, as explained by the inquiry's commissioner, Phumudzo Maphaha of the Department of Labour's occupational health and safety, stipulated that a competent worker should have knowledge, qualifications, formal training and experience.

Pillay maintained that he was competent as the foreman of the entire "mall site" but Singh was responsible for the project.

The commission heard that instructions, including one to continue working despite a court order to stop, came from Singh.

Singh's son Ravi Jagadasan of Rectangle Property Investments was the property developer and Gralio Precast owned by Singh's former wife, Shireen Annamalay, was contractor for the project.

Section 32 hearings are usually instituted against parties whose negligence results in occupational injuries and death of workers.

Two construction workers were killed and 29 others injured when the unfinished mall collapsed last November.