George Collapse: accountability demanded

AS THE first anniversary of the George multi-storey tragedy approaches on May 6, the local government's transparency came into question at the briefing of the Standing Committee on Infrastructure regarding their independent investigation.

- CHEVON BOOYSEN

Western Cape MEC for Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers was probed about the “veil of secrecy” under which their findings from an independent investigation are held.

Simmers confirmed the investigation findings and the final report, which was undertaken by structural engineering firm B3 and which was subsequently peer-reviewed, have since been handed to the SAPS for a criminal investigation due to the loss of lives.

Recently, in a preliminary report, Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane exposed alarming negligence and corner-cutting by the project’s developers.

According to the national department’s preliminary report, Simelane announced that the company responsible for the Neo Victoria project was accused of bypassing crucial regulatory processes, fundamentally undermining safety protocols designed to protect both workers and residents.

The building collapse claimed the lives of 34 people.