GEORGE TRAGEDY REMAINS UNSOLVED

Calls for accountability grow as report remains concealed

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

RELUCTANCE to release the names or those responsible for the George building collapse in a bid to shield regulatory bodies and various departments is what political parties believe may be the reason why the answers have not been delivered 16 months after the tragedy.

The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure announced that they did not receive the full forensic report due to its sensitive nature.

The Victoria Street tragedy on May 8, 2024 claimed the lives of 34 people and left 28 injured.

During a media briefing held in Cape Town this week, between DPWI, the Council for Built Environment (CBE) and Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), committee chairperson Carol Phiri, said it was vital that joint stakeholders urgently meet and for a public participation process to take place in George, stating they “needed to go further into the investigation”, as accountability was missing.

“There is nothing to tell the people of South Africa, but what we are getting is that they are afraid to go after the contractor based on legalities, Phiri said.

“It is a shame that, as the committee, we are unable to get the answers we need to properly understand who was negligent in the collapse of the building that resulted in deaths and injuries to workers.