More officials suspended over George building collapse

Those complicit in the George building collapse that killed 34 people will be facing criminal charges, as more officials have been suspended over the tragedy.

Minister of Human Settlements Thembisile Simelane gave an update on the investigation on Wednesday, detailing the reasons for the collapse.

The minister had earlier presented an overview of the report into the collapse to her department’s portfolio committee, which was submitted to the Department of Human Settlements (DHS) on 26 March.

Contractor misrepresented capabilities

A residential development on Victoria Street in the George suburb of Dormehls Drift collapsed on 6 May 2024.  

Subsequent investigations have implicated the contractor and National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) officials.

“The investigation revealed several breaches of our occupational health and safety (OHS) standards in relation to construction,” said Simelane.

“These included failure to address safety concerns, resignation of safety consultants and an absence of OHS provisions in the NHBRC procedures,” the minister added.

Simelane said that the building’s initial applications listed it as a single-storey structure, but the paperwork was later changed to indicate a multi-storey structure.

Simelane said the system was reportedly bypassed to sidestep procedures using the credentials of a female official who was unavailable at the time.

“The person that approved was able to use her login details and continue the process while she was on leave,” Simelane told the portfolio committee.

More referred for criminal charges

Simelane told the portfolio committee that two NHBRC staff members had been suspended, but she upgraded that figure to five on Wednesday.

“It is a report which indicates a failure of our systems at NHBRC, particularly in ensuring the mandatory requirements, prior registration and guarantees that are needed for an enrolment of a building,” said the minister.

In addition to the contractor not following building regulations, NHBRC greenlit the construction without plans being fully disclosed, structural design requirements being met, and plans being allowed to change unapproved.

Regulations state that a building must be enrolled with the relevant scheme at least 15 days before construction begins, but the building was only enrolled eight days after construction began.

“The company in question inaccurately represented its capabilities during the registration phase. Among other things, it failed to declare its intention to build a multi-story building,” Simelane said on Wednesday.

“The contractor cut corners. Our system enabled him to cut corners by not following our standard operating procedures and even approving without the fulfilment of all the necessary attachments that needed to be done,” Simelane added.

NHBRC still credible

Despite this, the minister felt the building collapse was an “isolated” incident that needed to be learned from and went against the record of the NHBRC.

“Justice is taking place. Yes, we may not have a person arrested, but suspensions have happened and processes are ongoing.”

“Overall, the council has been running a very credible institution. Permanent in all provinces and major cities and following through the process very well.

“Cracks, yes, are always in the system, and that is why we have to ensure that we increase technologically,” Simelane stated.

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