After studying the final report from the Council for the Built Environment (CBE), Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson will return to George, in the Western Cape, to present the findings to the families affected by the building collapse in that town on May 6, 2024, which claimed the lives of 34 individuals and injured 28 others.

“They deserve to hear directly from us, not through the media, about what went wrong and how we intend to rectify it,” he says.

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) will carefully study the report to develop a path forward.

Further, receipt of the report is a critical step in the DPWI’s commitment to uncover the truth behind this preventable disaster and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable, Macpherson adds.

The collapse was the result of systemic failures across various regulatory bodies and a lack of cooperation among key stakeholders. Accountability cannot be optional when human lives were lost owing to human error, he says.

“Therefore, the department will continue to work with the South African Police Service, the National Prosecuting Authority and other relevant regulatory bodies to ensure accountability.

“The collapse of the George building was entirely preventable and we will work towards accountability and address any errors which may have been identified. By working together, we are ensuring a safe and secure construction sector for all stakeholders,” he said.