Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has confirmed that the tragic building collapse in George—which claimed 34 lives and injured 28 others in May 2024—could have been prevented.
Releasing the official findings into the disaster, Macpherson said the incident exposed serious deficiencies in South Africa’s building and regulatory oversight systems, underscoring the urgent need for reform.
The report has sparked renewed calls for stricter enforcement of national building regulations and improved coordination between oversight bodies.
Macpherson stated that his department, in partnership with the Engineering Council of South Africa and the Council for the Built Environment, is committed to driving structural reform in the sector to prevent similar tragedies.
“We will be tabling urgent reforms in Parliament to strengthen oversight and ensure this never happens again,” he said.
“The NHBRC, municipalities, the Department of Labour, and other entities will be required by law to share inspection data and site conditions with one another. No single authority should be able to proceed blindly. Inspection and a holistic picture of the building environment is critical to ensure safety,” Macpherson said.
Meanwhile, a criminal investigation into the fatal collapse remains ongoing.
VOC News
Photo: @DepartmentPWI/X
