George – A year before the tragic collapse of the five-storey building at 75 Victoria Street, George, Western Cape, construction workers reported significant cracks in the columns, unusual vibrations in the slab, and evident holes in the basement walls.
Even more alarming was the discovery that the concrete used for the slabs did not meet the required standards.
The so-called “competent person” overseeing the structural system was unqualified to handle such a complex project.
Despite these red flags, site managers reportedly instructed workers to merely cover the damage with sand and mortar instead of halting construction for a formal investigation.
Construction persisted until disaster struck.
On 6 May 2024, the building collapsed, claiming the lives of 34 workers and injuring 28 more.
RELATED: George Building Collapse: At Least 4 Bodies Recovered, 24 Rescued, 51 Still Trapped – The Bulrushes
On Saturday, 19 July 2025, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, announced troubling findings after a thorough investigation.
While addressing the press in George, Minister Macpherson expressed: “I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to the families for their resilience and for allowing us to accompany them on this painful journey.”
“Their dignity in the face of tragedy and loss deserves acknowledgment. Their bravery is genuinely inspiring.”
“Their quest for justice is undeniably justified.”
Macpherson took a moment to console a mourning woman before disclosing the critical findings.
In addition to the previously mentioned issues such as cracks and vibrations, the minister highlighted further alarming discrepancies.
He stated that the geotechnical study, vital for evaluating soil stability and groundwater conditions, was incomplete and significantly flawed.
“Essential tests and geological mappings were missing,” the minister noted with concern.
He revealed that the Health and Safety Agent tasked with overseeing site safety resigned midway through the project, claiming they could no longer guarantee safe working conditions.
“This was a serious failure that was not reported to any relevant authorities,” Minister Macpherson insisted.
“Such a condition should have resulted in an immediate halt of the project.”
The minister also revealed a shocking lack of collaboration among regulatory agencies.
“Planning departments, NHBRC inspectors, DPWI professionals, and Department of Labour officials functioned in isolation,” he remarked.
“No one had the complete understanding. No one raised the alarm with the necessary urgency.”
In light of the collapse, the Council for the Built Environment (CBE), a statutory body of the Department, commenced a detailed investigation into the systemic failures leading to the building’s collapse.
“Alongside this, the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), one of CBE’s six councils, looked into the engineer’s accountability in the construction project,” the minister elaborated.
Both investigations by the CBE and ECSA uncovered serious discrepancies.
“The CBE report is a comprehensive and technically detailed document compiled by a multidisciplinary team,” Minister Macpherson commented.
“Its findings are serious and often disturbing.”
The investigation confirmed that substantial safety concerns had been raised well before the disaster.
Some of these warnings were articulated as early as 2023.
“Our current system allows engineers to self-assess their competence,” stated Minister Macpherson.
“This loophole needs to be promptly addressed.”
The National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act has not been significantly updated since 1996.
“The built environment has advanced, yet our laws have not,” Minister Macpherson observed.
“These are not mere oversights; they are systemic failures in planning, oversight, enforcement, and culture.”
He stated that the events from over a year ago represented a “deadly convergence of these failures,” resulting in the tragic loss of 34 lives.
“At every point of concern, there was an opportunity to correct the issue; however, due to a weak regulatory framework, there was no incentive or obligation to do so,” Minister Macpherson concluded.
An appeal period for these findings is currently open until 3 August 2025.
“This report must be included in the criminal investigation, as it is crucial to determine if there was criminal negligence involved in this tragedy.”
“If criminal misconduct is found, those responsible must be prosecuted without hesitation.”
“We must ensure accountability for the loss of 34 lives.”
“No contractor, engineer, or official should evade the law’s jurisdiction.”
Amelia Mtshali, chairperson of the Council for the Built Environment, along with the CEO of the Council for the Built Environment, and Thembinkosi Madikane, President of the Engineering Council of South Africa, presented the technical findings and recommendations.
*See the statement by the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) here, and the statement by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) here.
