Thirty-three people died in May when the almost-complete apartment block caved in while at least 62 people were on the site. (Alfonso Nqunjana/News24)
- The Western Cape government has received a preliminary report into the collapse of a multi-storey building in George three months ago.
- Premier Alan Winde said the report would be tabled at the next cabinet meeting.
- Thirty-four people were killed when the building collapsed.
A preliminary report into the widely publicised collapse of a building in George has been handed over to the provincial government – about three months after the incident, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has said.
Winde was responding to opposition parties during a debate on his opening of the legislature address on Thursday.
He confirmed the province received the report on its own investigation.
“The Department of Local Government is currently working through that report, and it will more than likely be tabled at our next cabinet meeting. That should give us an indication [whether] we got sufficient [information] to lay charges and to do whatever we need to do.”
Winde said they were providing support to families.
While delivering his address, he reflected on when he arrived at the site of the collapsed building.
“The scale of that disaster was heartbreaking. But in a matter of minutes and hours, the site of the tragedy was swarming with disaster management officials of all kinds, who seamlessly worked together to save lives,” Winde said.
The premier also recalled the moment Gabriel Guambe, 32, was pulled from the rubble after a 118-hour search operation.
Guambe was working as a tiler when the building imploded.
“I still get hoendervleis [goosebumps] when I recall that moment on Saturday, 11 May when Gabriel’s arm was lifted as he was stretchered from the rubble.
“It was through the unwavering dedication and professionalism of our disaster officials that Gabriel and so many others were saved,” Winde said.
He added they would hold those responsible accountable.
“We will do everything in our power to ensure that those responsible for this unspeakable tragedy face the consequences of their negligence. In the face of every disaster, our steady investment in our disaster management systems is paying off,” Winde said.
Three probes – from the provincial government, Department of Labour and police – were under way into the collapse.
News24 previously reported the Engineering Council of South Africa placed an engineer linked to the George building collapse on precautionary suspension.