GEORGE BUILDING CONTRACTOR DENIES BLAME

THE contractor embroiled in the George Building collapse that claimed 34 lives nearly a year ago says he intends to take legal action against the individuals and companies he believes are responsible while Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane says he faces criminal charges.

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

In an exclusive interview with the Cape Argus, Theuns Kruger, owner of Liatel Developments, said they were cooperating with authorities including the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC), and maintained that the company was not liable for the tragedy on May 6 last year.

Kruger was responding to the findings of the investigation, which were revealed by Simelane during a Portfolio Committee meeting via parliament on Friday. The report found that while the materials used in the construction were of good quality, the building's structure was not designed to support the weight of the building.

Contractor, Liatel Developers, Neo Victoria Development, Engineer Athol Mitchell have been under the radar of the investigation.

Yesterday, attorney for the former directors of Neo Victoria Development, Ryan du Preez did not respond to queries.

Following the disaster, directors Dylan Brockway, Alwyn Gey van Pittius and Johannes Swanepoel resigned with Carel Swanepoel being the remaining member.

Kruger claimed while he did not see the report, he believed the company was misrepresented during various administrative processes and only became aware of the collapse that its name was used without consent during the NHBRC enrolment process.

"We have not seen the report as yet and therefore I cannot comment on any of the specifics in the report," he said.

"We can, however, state the following: