A damning investigation into the devastating building collapse that killed 34 construction workers in George, has concluded that the tragedy was “entirely preventable” and resulted from a cascade of safety failures that were ignored for more than a year.
The comprehensive report, released this week by Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson, reveals that serious structural concerns were raised as early as 2023 – a full year before the five-storey apartment block came crashing down in May 2024, leaving 34 dead and 28 seriously injured.
Warning signs ignored
The investigation, conducted jointly by the Council for the Built Environment and the Engineering Council of South Africa, paints a picture of systematic negligence at the Victoria Street construction site in Dormehls Drift.
Workers had reported feeling ominous vibrations throughout the partially built structure and noticed concerning movement in a roof slab just two days before the catastrophic collapse. Despite these alarming signs, construction continued.
“There were a number of red flags that were continually raised about this project,” said Macpherson during the report’s release. “The work should have stopped.”
The more than 200-page report details how structural cracks were visible at the base of columns as early as 2023. Rather than addressing these fundamental issues, workers were allegedly instructed to “patch” the cracks with substandard cement and cover up holes with sand and inferior concrete – a practice the investigation described as “shoddy workmanship.”
Safety officer’s protest
Perhaps most telling was the resignation of the project’s health and safety officer, who quit in protest over the dangerous conditions. Despite this warning, construction pressed ahead on the doomed building.
“These signs were a chance to turn back, but instead, problems with the building were covered up,” Macpherson explained, describing the situation as one where multiple failures converged into disaster.
The investigation also highlighted serious geological factors that were ignored during construction, including the presence of water during the building of underground parking – a critical oversight that compromised the structure’s foundation.
Survivors still suffering
The human cost of these failures continues to reverberate through the George community more than a year later. Survivors are grappling not only with physical injuries but also mounting medical bills and psychological trauma.
One of the of the survivors tearfully described how the disaster has transformed her life. She lost multiple teeth in the collapse, struggles to eat, and has endured bullying. Like many survivors, she has received no compensation and appeals for assistance from well-wishers.
“We want justice,” victims and their families have repeatedly stated.
Calls for criminal charges
Following what he described as an “emotional and painful” private meeting with survivors and victims’ families, Minister Macpherson called for criminal accountability for those found negligent in the disaster.
While a police investigation is underway, no arrests have been made to date.
Dr Msizi Myeza from the Council for the Built Environment emphasized that the structural integrity issues were foreseeable and preventable, making the loss of life all the more tragic.
The investigation has prompted promises of significant reform in South Africa’s construction oversight. Macpherson pledged to introduce new regulations to improve construction monitoring and overhaul what he described as “outdated legislation” governing the building industry.
The report recommends a comprehensive review of current construction laws and the implementation of stricter oversight mechanisms to prevent similar tragedies.
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