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Friday, May 16, 2025

One year since fatal building collapse in George

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It’s been a year since a building under construction in George collapsed. 34 people died while 28 others were seriously injured. But no one has been held accountable for the tragedy so far.

 

The only investigative report publicly shared to date is that of the National Home Builders Registration Council. The organisation alleged, among other things, that negligence led to safety not being addressed on the construction site.

 

Meanwhile, the outcome of the Western Cape Government and Provincial SAPS probes is yet to be revealed.

 

In January, Premier Alan Winde advised that his government had completed its investigation on the matter. In April, he advised that the SAPS probe was 65% complete and that Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile agreed to urgently conclude it.

 

“But that the investigation must be thorough and the case watertight to stand up to prosecutorial scrutiny,” read the April statement by the Premier’s office.

 

Shortly after this latest update on the matter, the ANC in the Province called on the Premier to table the report. The Party’s Khalid Sayed says Winde promised that the Provincial Legislature would be updated on the matter. But he says MPs have not yet received any info.

 

The families affected by the tragedy are expected to find out more about the progress of the investigations on Tuesday. That’s when Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, will be in George to meet with the families and brief them on this.

 

“I will join the families of the 34 victims who passed away in the George building collapse to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the tragedy. We need to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again,” said Macpherson on social media.

 

ALSO READ: George building collapse blamed on regulatory failures – new law promises tougher oversight

 

This article has been updated with the additional information.

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