George multi-storey tragedy: Calls for transparency as investigation findings remain secret
Minister of Human Settlement Thembi Simelane said the George multi-storey building collapse was a result of non-compliance.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers
As the first anniversary of the George multi-storey tragedy approaches on May 6, the local government's transparency came into question at the briefing of the Standing Committee on Infrastructure regarding their independent investigation.
On Friday morning, ahead of the presentations, Western Cape MEC for Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers was probed about the 'veil of secrecy' under which their findings from an independent investigation are held.
Simmers confirmed the investigation findings and the final report, which was undertaken by structural engineering firm B3 and which was subsequently peer-reviewed, have since been handed to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for a criminal investigation due to the loss of lives.
Recently, in a preliminary report, Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane exposed alarming negligence and corner-cutting by the project's developers.
According to the national department's preliminary report, Simelane announced that the company responsible for the Neo Victoria project was accused of bypassing crucial regulatory processes, fundamentally undermining safety protocols designed to protect both workers and residents.
The building collapse claimed the lives of 34 people.
On Friday, Simmers maintained that their final report is now the subject of a criminal investigation, and after receiving legal advice, they would not make the report public and would follow the rule of law.
'The law must now take its course,' said Simmers.
Rescuers extract one of the construction workers from the rubble of the collapsed building. The building collapse claimed the lives of 34 people.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers
According to Simmers, they were handed a sole hard copy of the report, and this was handed to the SAPS.
When Simmers questioned the absence of Simelane at the briefing, MPs hit back, probing why the 300-page report received by local government could not be made public.
MPs Khalid Sayed (ANC), Brett Herron (GOOD), and Patricia Lekker (ANC) called for transparency so the George community could get answers on what transpired and what the inadequacies were that deemed the provincial report to be part of a criminal investigation.
Sayed said: 'Unfortunately, this morning's meeting of the Standing Committee on Infrastructure regarding the disastrous collapse of the George Building one year ago raised more questions and red flags than providing answers. The continued secrecy surrounding the premier's investigative report, legal advice, and the municipal probe reinforces what we've long said: the DA's lack of transparency and accountability is matched only by its arrogance.
'The investigative report concluded by the premier that was subsequently handed over to SAPS is still 'secret', the legal advice provided on the investigative report is 'secret', the municipality's investigation is not complete but will be deemed secret, with the council deciding what should be made public and what should be kept a secret…
'Their persistent refusal to fully disclose matters of such grave public interest, especially when they involve the lives of the poor and marginalised, is deeply troubling,' said Sayed.
Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane briefs the media on the way forward after the Neo Victoria residential building collapse.
Image: Ministry of Human Settlements
Herron echoed these sentiments and said Simmers's department has cloaked the report in secrecy.
'The families of those who lost their lives when the Victoria Street building in George collapsed, almost exactly one year ago, would have been insulted, shocked, and disappointed to observe the Western Cape Standing Committee on Infrastructure pretending to interrogate what caused the collapse of the building. The victim's families were failed today, and they deserve better.
'The starting point is to summon those who have completed investigations, and that includes the premier and the minister of Human Settlements, to brief the committee on their findings… We also learned that the George Municipality, while conducting its own technical investigation, sought a legal opinion on liability before receiving the technical findings.
'That raises serious questions about whether it is attempting to manage legal risk rather than uncover the truth. A determination of liability should flow from facts, not precede them. The victims' families deserve more than symbolic meetings and political theatre,' said Herron.
During the briefing, the George Municipality confirmed the expenses incurred during the Mass Casualty Incident amounted to R9.2 million.
Patriotic Alliance (PA) MP Bradley Marais called for a judicial commission of inquiry into the investigations undertaken by various stakeholders and said 'nobody must get away'.
Democratic Alliance MP Dirk Wessels said Simelane's absence and having evaded today's briefing demonstrated the department's lack of commitment to transparency and public accountability'.
'Every investigation report into this tragedy conducted by national, provincial, and local government will be interrogated by the Standing Committee on Infrastructure because this event demands sustained oversight to prevent future tragedies from occurring. The DA in the Western Cape calls for Minister Simelane to provide immediate and unambiguous public clarification on whether the NHBRC report has been finalised,' said Wessels.
[email protected]
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
an hour ago
- TimesLIVE
Wanted Mozambican kidnapper killed by cops in Fourways
In yet another success story for the national anti-kidnapping task team, a wanted Mozambican kidnapper was shot dead this week during a tracing operation in Johannesburg. National police spokesperson Brig Athlende Mathe said the anti-kidnapping task team traced a Mozambican kidnapping kingpin to a block of apartments in Fourways. 'The team was tracing a kidnapped Pakistani businessman from Pretoria West. He is still in captivity and the team is still searching for [him]. A ransom demand has been made to the businessman's family,' Mathe said. The tracing operation began at a residential complex in Midrand where they seized a Mercedes-Benz, a silver Pajero and arrested two kidnappers. 'They proceeded to Fourways where the task team announced their arrival and a shoot-out ensued. One suspect was fatally wounded and upon further investigation, it was discovered that 40-year-old Mauro Mucambe Junior is a wanted kidnapping kingpin in Mozambique where he has been linked to several kidnappings. His warrant of arrest was issued by Maputo police in August 2024.' One unlicensed firearm used by the fugitive was seized, including 10 rounds of ammunition. Four cellphones and four bank cards were also seized. 'The SAPS has full faith and confidence in the work of the anti-kidnapping task team to rescue the kidnapped businessman. Since January 2024, the team has arrested more than 170 criminals involved in kidnappings for ransom. More than R1.2m has been recovered. More than 100 victims were rescued mainly in Gauteng and more than 40 vehicles used in kidnapping crimes were seized by the team. 'The anti-kidnapping task team recently registered a breakthrough in the Olorato Mongale murder case where they led the tracing operation of Philangenkosi Makhanya. The search is still on for Bongani Mthimkhulu,' Mathe said.
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Mozambican kidnapping kingpin shot dead in Fourways
Police have shot and killed a Mozambican kidnapping kingpin to a block of apartments in Fourways, Johannesburg this week. The alleged kingpin was traced at a block of flats in Fourways, Johannesburg as the anti-kidnapping task team was searching for a kidnapped Pakistani businessman from Pretoria West. He is still in captivity and the team are still searching for the Pakistani national. A ransom demand has been made to the businessman's family. National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said a ransom demand was made to the Pakistani national's family. The team is still searching for the businessman who is still in captivity. Mathe said the team's tracing operation began at a residential complex in Carlswald, Midrand where they seized a Mercedes Benz, a silver Pajero and arrested two kidnappers. They proceeded to Fourways where the task team announced their arrival and a shoot-out ensued. 'One suspect was fatally wounded and upon further investigation, it was discovered that 40-year-old Mauro Mucambe Junior is a wanted kidnapping kingpin in Mozambique where he has been linked to several kidnappings. His warrant of arrest was issued by Maputo Police in August 2024. 'One unlicensed firearm used by the fatally wounded fugitive of justice was seized including 10 rounds of ammunition. Four cellphones, four bank cards have also been seized,' Mathe explained. Mathe said the SAPS has full faith and confidence in the work of the anti-kidnapping task team to rescue the kidnapped businessman. Since January 2024 to date, the team has arrested more than 170 criminals involved in Kidnappings for ransom and over R1.2 million has been recovered. In addition, more than 100 victims have been rescued mainly in Gauteng and more than 40 vehicles used in kidnapping crimes were also seized by the team. 'The anti-kidnapping task team recently registered a breakthrough in the Olorato Mongale murder case where they led the tracing operation of Philangenkosi Makhanya. The search is still on for Bongani Mthimkhulu.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Notorious Mozambican kidnapping kingpin killed in a shootout with Gauteng police
Gauteng police shot dead Mauro Mucambe Junior, a notorious kidnapping kingpin from Mozambique, wanted for his alleged involvement in a series of high-profile kidnappings. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has shot dead 40-year-old Mauro Mucambe Junior, a notorious kidnapping kingpin from Mozambique, wanted for his alleged involvement in a series of high-profile kidnappings. The incident took place on Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Fourways, Johannesburg, as the police continued their desperate search for a kidnapped Pakistani businessman. National police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, provided insights into the operation, revealing that Mucambe was tracked down following an extensive manhunt initiated by the Maputo Police in August 2024. Mathe said the team began their operation at a residential complex in Carlswald, Midrand, where they seized a Mercedes Benz, a silver Pajero, and arrested two kidnappers. "They proceeded to Fourways where the task team announced their arrival and a shoot-out ensued. One suspect was fatally wounded and upon further investigation, it was discovered that 40-year-old Mauro Mucambe Junior is a wanted kidnapping kingpin in Mozambique where he has been linked to several kidnappings," she said.
