By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has received a report from Council for the Built Enviroment (CBE) on the tragic George building collapse, which claimed 34 lives.
On May 6, 2024, the Neo Victoria project, a residential building that was still under construction, collapsed without warning.
Many of the survivors were also critically injured. Rescue efforts to extract survivors from the debris continued for about a week after the collapse.
In the aftermath, multiple investigations were initiated to determine the cause of the collapse and to hold accountable those responsible. The Department of Employment and Labour took over the site to conduct a formal inquiry, with additional investigations launched by provincial authorities and law enforcement agencies.
The NHBRC conducted the investigation and focussed largely on the failures of inspectors and internal controls insofar as the council is concerned.
The NHBRC is a regulatory body of the home building industry, with a mandate to protect the interests of housing consumers and to ensure that builders comply with the prescribed building industry standards.
The report was concluded earlier this year and submitted to the department of human settlements (DHS) on 26 March.
The report has revealed non-compliance with regulatory standards and blatant safety violations.
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) will carefully study the report to develop a path forward, said Macpherson.
Further, receipt of the report is a critical step in the DPWI’s commitment to uncover the truth behind this preventable disaster and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable, Macpherson added.
The collapse was the result of systemic failures across various regulatory bodies and a lack of cooperation among key stakeholders. Accountability cannot be optional when human lives were lost owing to human error, he said.
“Therefore, the department will continue to work with the South African Police Service, the National Prosecuting Authority and other relevant regulatory bodies to ensure accountability.
“The collapse of the George building was entirely preventable and we will work towards accountability and address any errors which may have been identified. By working together, we are ensuring a safe and secure constructiion sector for all stakeholders,” he said.
Last month marked the one-year anniversary of the building collapse which saw the Minister address the community at the George Town Hall.