Winde: Investigations must remain ‘watertight’

AS THE SAPS investigation into the George building collapse reaches 65% completion, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has indicated that the province’s portion will also remain watertight and not be disclosed publicly.

- GENEVIEVE SERRA [e-mail]

Winde made the announcement yesterday, after meeting with Western Cape Police Commissioner, Thembisile Patekile.

He said the lead investigator into the case, Captain Johan de Lange, was also present and he was informed that the investigation was 65% complete.

Both Winde and Patekile said they agreed the case must be urgently concluded, but that the investigation must be thorough and it should be watertight so that it can stand up to prosecutorial scrutiny.

“We cannot allow this matter to be tried in the media. This will not offer the survivors, their families, and the relatives of those who died any closure. They deserve to have this matter handled professionally and transparently, with care and compassion,’ said Winde.

He urged the commissioner to take the necessary steps to expedite the matter, as the police is the lead agency responsible for investigating incidents of this nature.