Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson has described the collapse of an apartment block in George — which killed 34 people and injured 28 others — as a tragedy that could and should have been prevented.

Speaking at a media briefing on Saturday, Macpherson outlined the findings of a government investigation into the deadly collapse of the building under construction at 75 Victoria Street on 6 May 2024.

“This was a lethal convergence of failures,” the Minister said. “At every problem, there was a chance to stop and fix it. But because of a weak regulatory environment, no one was required — or incentivised — to act. That’s what makes this so infuriating: this was entirely preventable.”

The investigation uncovered multiple red flags ignored or concealed in the lead-up to the collapse:

• Workers reported cracks in columns, vibrations in the slabs, and even visible holes in basement walls — some as early as 2023.
• Instead of halting work, site managers instructed workers to patch the damage with sand and mortar.
• Concrete used in the slabs was below standard — delivering only 13 megapascal instead of the required 19–25 MPa.
• The engineer responsible for the building’s structure lacked the required qualifications for a five-storey build — a result of a system that allows professionals to self-assess their competence.
• The project’s geotechnical report was “grossly deficient”, missing key tests on soil stability and groundwater conditions.
• The Health and Safety Agent resigned midway through construction, citing unsafe conditions — yet failed to report this to authorities.

“The fact that no action was taken when the safety officer walked away speaks to a complete breakdown in accountability,” Macpherson said. “That should have stopped the project in its tracks.”

The Minister also pointed to a failure of coordination between oversight bodies, noting that the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) and the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) conducted parallel investigations into systemic failures and professional conduct.

The ECSA’s report, which examines the role and responsibility of the project engineer, has been finalised and will be published in the Government Gazette after the appeal period ends on 3 August 2025.

“This report must inform the police investigation,” Macpherson said. “If criminal negligence is established, prosecution must follow without delay. Thirty-four lives were lost — someone must be held accountable. No contractor, engineer, or official should be beyond the reach of the law.”

The Department of Public Works has pledged to study the final report closely and implement reforms to close regulatory loopholes — including tightening rules around professional competency and mandatory reporting.

“We owe it to the victims and their families to ensure this never happens again,” Macpherson said.