George Municipality submits structural investigation report to SAPS following deadly building collapse

The George Municipality has confirmed that the final report involving the independent structural investigation of the site which was commissioned and undertaken by  the Engineering Design Services (EDS) has been handed over to the South African Police.

Chantèl Edwards, Manager Communications & IGR, Office of the Municipal Manager told Cape Argus this  report will not be made public and involved a bundle of official evidence, which forms part of the criminal investigation.

“George Municipality confirms that an independent structural investigation of the site was commissioned and undertaken by Engineering Design Services (EDS) on behalf of the Municipality,” she explained.

“The final report has been submitted to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and forms part of the official evidence bundle in the ongoing criminal investigation. Therefore, the report will not be made public or tabled to Council. 

“The Municipality remains committed to fully cooperating with SAPS and other relevant authorities and supports efforts to conclude the investigation as swiftly and thoroughly as possible.”

It was also further confirmed that the George Municipal Manager, Godfrey Louw, officially received the technical report commissioned by the Municipality following the deadly building collapse on Victoria Street on May 6 2024.

Chantelle Kyd, GOOD George Councillor and MMC for Planning and Development said they called on this report to be tabled without delay at the next full Council meeting on May 29.

 “This report is a critical piece of the puzzle in the pursuit of truth, accountability, and justice for the 34 lives lost and many others injured. The report was commissioned under the previous Municipal Manager, Michele Gratz, and initiated through a Council resolution in December 2024. Engineering Design Services (EDS), a Pretoria-based structural engineering firm, was appointed to lead the technical investigation, including on-site inspections during the clearing of the site,” she added. 

 “At the Standing Committee on Infrastructure meeting on May 2, Mayor Jackie von Brandis committed that once the technical report was received it would be shared with the committee. As GOOD we urge the Mayor to show the local council the same courtesy. There is no justifiable reason to keep it behind closed doors.

We owe it to the victims, the survivors, and the entire George community to ensure that justice is neither delayed nor denied.”

The report made public into the investigation of the George building collapse by Human Settlements Minister, Thembi Simelane, which indicated that the municipality was at fault for approving the apartment block’s plan when it was already in the process of construction.

The municipality clarified that they were audited with no significant findings and that the plans were approved in line with regulations and that they did not have evidence that the construction went ahead despite the approval being processed.

Simelane addressed the media on April 8 in which she revealed that five officials from the National Home Builders Regulatory Council (NHBRC) were suspended and could face criminal charges including that of the developers behind the construction, Neo Victoria Developments and that there were no arrests at this stage.

The outcome of the investigation has also made recommendations that implicated officials be  held accountable for their actions and the charges that will be levelled against them include dereliction of duty, misconduct, negligence, dishonesty, and misrepresentation in official  inspection reports.

The investigation revealed systemic failures, non-compliance with regulatory standards, and mismanagement by both the NHBRC and project personnel which included irregular status upliftment, late enrollment, inspection lapses, material quality issues, and safety violations including a lack of professional qualifications and the unlawful use of official credentials.

Cape Argus