Sunday Times reports that an investigation into last year’s George building collapse in which 34 people died has found “gross negligence” on the part of the construction company and has recommended possible culpable homicide charges.
The forensic probe initiated by the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) after the 6 May tragedy, in which a multistorey apartment block collapsed during construction, found “widespread procedural failures” and noncompliance with building regulations. It cited late-enrolment (registration) with the council, inspection failures, material deficiencies and occupational health and safety violations, and questioned “the competency of those involved in the project”. More than 60 people were on site at the time of the collapse and many of them were buried under rubble. The development by Neo Victoria Developments, with Liatel as the contracted builder, was intended to be a residential complex with 42 units. “The company’s [Liatel] gross negligence, demonstrated by its failure to comply with regulatory standards, misrepresentations during the enrolment process and negligence in addressing structural defects, played a significant role in the unsafe conditions that led to the disaster,” according to the report. Liatel was not qualified to build a multistorey building, the report states. The investigation also raised questions about the processes followed by the George municipality in issuing approvals for the project. “Given the clear link between Liatel’s actions — or lack thereof — and the collapse, law enforcement should conduct a criminal investigation to determine whether the company’s negligence amounts to culpable homicide. This investigation must hold the company, Neo Victoria Developments, and their responsible officials accountable for the loss of life, ensuring that justice is served for the victims of this preventable tragedy,” the report reads. Human settlements minister Thembi Simelane indicated: “We will refer the report to our law enforcement agencies for investigation and possible criminal charges.”
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Phathu Luvhengo at Sunday Times (subscriber access only)
- Read too, George building collapse report to be made public once concluded, at SABC News
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page