GEORGE BUILDING COLLAPSE WAS PREVENTABLE

'Weak regulatory environment to blame'

- SE-ANNE RALL

THE findings of a probe into the collapse of the 2024 George building collapse that claimed 34 lives shows that the tragedy could have been prevented.

It further showed that there were systemic failures, failures of planning, oversight, enforcement, and culture.

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson released the findings in George at the weekend.

"At every problem, there was a chance to turn back, but because of weak regulatory environment, there was either no incentive or requirement to do so. And this is what makes me so angry when I view this tragedy from today's perspective, it was entirely preventable. However, we cannot undo what has happened," Macpherson said.

He said the full Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) investigation report has been completed and it will be published in the Government Gazette in due course.

Meanwhile, an appeal window to these findings is currently underway, which expires on August 3.