Investigation calls for reform of building regulatory frameworks

Both the Engineering Council of South Africa and the Council for the Built Environment's investigations into the collapse of a five-storey development in George, Western Cape, are complete.

- By Tamsin Metelerkamp

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson has announced the completion of the investigation by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) into the culpability of the engineer involved in the construction of the George building that collapsed in 2024.

Speaking at a media briefing last weekend, Macpherson said that both ECSA and the Council for the Built Environment's investigations into the collapse had been completed. He described the latter's report as "comprehensive and technically detailed" with findings that were "serious, far-reaching and ... alarming".

"The full ECSA investigation report... will be published in the Government Gazette in due course. An appeal window to these findings is currently under way, which expires on 3 August," said Macpherson.

"This report must form part of the police investigation as we must establish criminal negligence for what happened. If criminal wrongdoing is established, those responsible must be prosecuted without delay... No contractor, engineer or official should be beyond the reach of the law."

The collapse of the five-storey residential property development at 75 Victoria Street in George on 6 May 2024 was followed by a days-long recovery effort. It resulted in 34 deaths and there were 28 survivors. Many of those who survived continue to endure difficulties linked to serious injuries incurred during the incident.

ECSA charges

ECSA charged an engineer implicated in the building collapse with violations of the Code of Conduct and the Code of Practice for the Performance of Engineering Work, the council said in a statement on 22 July.