Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has urged the National Prosecuting Authority to act as the country marks the second anniversary of the George building collapse.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has urged the NPA to act following the completion of the police investigation into the George building collapse, which claimed 34 lives and injured 28 people in May 2024.
Macpherson made the call as he commemorated the second anniversary of the collapse, which remains South Africa’s deadliest building disaster in recent history.
His spokesperson, James de Villiers, said the commemoration is a painful reminder of the work still required to prevent similar disasters in the future and urged law enforcement agencies to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
The incident occurred on May 6, 2024, when a five-storey apartment development in George collapsed, killing 34 people and injuring 28 others. The incident occurred in Victoria Street, in the Western Cape.
De Villiers said that since taking office two months after the collapse, Macpherson has met victims and their families in George to communicate the outcomes of an investigation into the engineer who signed off on the building plans.
The engineer was found guilty of five contraventions of the law and suspended.
“Furthermore, the minister this year met with the Minister of Human Settlements specifically to tighten building regulations to ensure that a similar building collapse is avoided.”
Meanwhile, Macpherson said that, with the police having completed their investigation, the responsibility now rests with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to decide on criminal prosecution and, where warranted, bring charges against those responsible.
“Today, we remember every life lost, every family still grieving, and every survivor who continues to live with the consequences of this tragedy.”
“The George building collapse remains one of the most painful construction disasters in our country’s recent history. It was a tragedy that should never have happened, and one that must never be allowed to happen again,” Macpherson said.
“With SAPS having completed its investigation, the ball is now in the court of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to take the necessary prosecutorial decisions and, where warranted, bring those responsible to court for this avoidable tragedy.”
Macpherson said there is no one above the law.
“No one should be above the law. Not an engineer, not a developer, not an official, and not any person whose actions or failures may have contributed to this disaster. Justice delayed only deepens the pain of families who have already waited too long for answers.”
He said the department will continue to provide full co-operation to law enforcement agencies and counterpart departments to ensure justice for the victims and their families, and to provide any further support that may still be required.
“On this second anniversary, we once again express our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.”
“We stand with the survivors. We honour the rescue workers. And we renew our commitment to ensuring that justice is done, accountability is enforced, and that a tragedy like the George building collapse never happens again,” he added.
In February, IOL News reported that Premier Alan Winde confirmed in George during his State of the Province Address that the police have completed their investigation into the incident.
“I can now confirm that the police have completed their investigation into all aspects of the disaster, including the peer-reviewed report that we handed to the police early last year,” Winde said.
He added, “The case docket is now with the National Prosecuting Authority for a decision on prosecution.”
“After two years, it is time for justice.”
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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