US EditionPublic Works Minister: George Building Collapse Could Have Been Prevented
GEORGE, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA, JUL 19 – Investigation revealed use of substandard materials and ignored safety warnings caused the collapse that killed 34 workers and injured 28, deemed entirely preventable by authorities.
- A five-storey residential building collapsed in George on 6 May 2024, killing 34 workers and injuring 28 others during a regular workday.
- The collapse resulted from multiple failures including poor workmanship, substandard materials, ignored safety warnings, and weak regulatory oversight.
- Examinations conducted by South Africa’s statutory built environment authority and the Engineering Council revealed critical and extensive problems, including insufficient geotechnical assessments and professional misconduct by the engineer.
- Minister Dean Macpherson described the incident as entirely preventable with numerous red flags ignored and pledged sweeping reforms, including stronger regulations and improved enforcement.
- The ongoing police investigation seeks to establish criminal negligence, and survivors continue to face trauma and financial hardship, highlighting the need for accountability and support.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Tragic George building collapse was 'entirely preventable'
The tragic collapse of a five-storey apartment block that claimed 34 lives and injured dozens in George in May 2024 was “entirely preventable,” South Africa’s government has concluded, following the release of a damning investigative report. Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson revealed the findings at a press briefing on Saturday, expressing anger over widespread negligence, ignored warnings, and regulatory failures. “There …
George building collapse report to form part of police probe
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson has announced the completion of 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, last year. The ECSA report...
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