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News24 reports that Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson indicated on Saturday that investigations into what had led to the George building collapse, which claimed 34 lives last year, showed the tragedy was “entirely preventable”.
He revealed the findings of the investigations conducted by the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) and Engineering Council of SA (ECSA) after engaging with families of those who had died as well as survivors. Macpherson said: “At every problem, there was a chance to turn back, but because of a weak regulatory environment, there was either no incentive or requirement to do so. And this is what makes me so angry when I view this tragedy from today’s perspective... it was entirely preventable.” He said what stood out from the findings was that the collapse resulted from systematic errors because serious safety concerns had been raised prior to the collapse, including cracks in columns and holes through basement walls. “Workers even noticed strange vibrations in the concrete slabs, but they were asked to patch the damage using sand and water, rather than halting construction and escalating the matter for formal investigation.” He added that the findings showed the concrete used in the slabs did not meet specifications. According to Macpherson, the person responsible for the structural system did not have the necessary competency required to oversee a project of that complexity. The full ECSA investigation report will be published in the government gazette in due course. A pending appeal process to the findings expires on 3 August.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Anelisa Kubheka at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
- Read too, Developer, contractor, engineer at fault in George building collapse, at EWN
- En ook, George-ineenstorting was heeltemal voorkombaar – verslag, by Maroela Media
Get other news reports at the SA LabourNews home page