South Africa building collapse that killed 34 was 'entirely preventable', minister says
A new report into the tragedy reveals that serious safety concerns had been raised well before the partially built five-storey apartment block collapsed in the town of George in May 2024.
Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson said the collapse was the result of multiple failures including the use of substandard materials, structural cracks, and visible gaps.
"There were a number of red flags that were continually raised about this project," said a visibly angry Macpherson.
Some of the defects were detected a year before the collapse. The health and safety officer even resigned in protest but work continued, the report found.
"The work should have stopped," Macpherson said.
He added that these signs were a chance to turn back but instead, problems with the building were "covered up".
Workers reported feeling vibrations in the structure, and being told to cover up holes with sand and substandard concrete, the report revealed.
Following what the minister described as an "emotional and painful" private meeting with survivors and families of victims, he called for criminal accountability for those found to have been negligent.
A police investigation is under way but no arrests have been made.
Many survivors are still facing trauma, medical bills and struggling to put food on the table, Macpherson said.
Electrician Delvin Safers was pinned under the tonnes of concrete and mangled metal for 28 hours. He sent voice notes to his family believing he might die.
A colleague of his was killed instantly as the concrete fell on top of them.
After his rescue Mr Safers told the BBC he had noticed no warning signs, but believed that if shortcuts were taken during construction, then those responsible "should be held accountable".
He did not attend the minister's briefing but his father Deon, who did, told the BBC that he was impressed by the report.
"We want justice," he said, adding that his son had received no compensation
Another survivor of the disaster, Elelwani, tearfully told local media, that her life had changed in the last year.
She lost many teeth, struggles to eat and has been the subject of bullying. She appealed for money from well wishers.
Macpherson pledged to introduce regulations to improve oversight in construction and reform outdated legislation.
The probe was conducted by the Council for the Built Environment and a parallel investigation by the Engineering Council of South Africa.
Joy as son trapped in SA building collapse rescued
Man trapped under SA building texting family, father says
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I gave George a kiss goodbye as the PI I'd hired waited at the end of the street, and while I watched George get into his car, I gave the PI the go-ahead to tail him. I felt like someone had taken over my body, and I was watching myself from a distance. I was embarrassed, and a nervous wreck, and at the same time exhilarated by the idea that I might finally have answers. When the PI called me from outside of the restaurant, he asked if I wanted him to go in and take photos, but I just wanted him to tell me what he saw. I knew who George had been sleeping with as soon as the PI started describing her. It was a colleague, who I'd met at a Christmas party at the end of 2022. I suspected nothing then, but I've no idea how long it had been going on for at that point, whether they were already an item then or still only friends. George had never mentioned her at home. I felt very small, and rejected. Sort of insignificant. 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As told to Lauren Shirreff *Names have been changed Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Solve the daily Crossword
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