Criminal charges are on the horizon for those responsible for the tragic George building collapse, according to Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson.

Delivering his department’s Budget Speech in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Macpherson confirmed that legal action would follow. This is after he received the final report from the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) last month.

“From what I’ve seen, I think that criminal charges are obviously required, and I think that criminality does exist. Thirty-four people don’t just die in a building, and everyone walks away and continues with life as normal,” Macpherson told the media after his budget speech.

The collapse, which occurred in May last year, claimed 34 lives and injured 28 others.

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While criminal charges are being considered, Macpherson said there is still work being done, as a crucial report from the Department of Employment and Labour is still outstanding. Macpherson said he had been engaging with Minister Nomakhosazana Meth to get it done.

“The good thing is that it is being led… in a prosecutorial way, so that as they investigate, the dockets for prosecution are being prepared.”

He said it’s important that things follows this process so that investigation is not compromised.

Macpherson said this is why it is important to protect the investigation from undue political influence.

“I’m so determined to protect the integrity of the investigation from political interference and pressure, because if we get it wrong, I’m going to be held accountable for it.”

He said some politicians have called for the immediate release of reports, Macpherson cautioned against jeopardising the legal process.

“So on the one hand, some politicians are screaming and shouting that they want reports released. Those same people will scream and shout when people walk free… You can’t have it both ways.”

Macpherson was scheduled to meet with the victim’s families in George on Saturday, where he was expected to share the findings of the CBE report. That meeting was, however, postponed due to the funeral of former deputy president David Mabuza.