A joint sitting of Parliament’s Portfolio Committees on Human Settlements and Public Works and Infrastructure has sharply criticised the George Local Municipality for what it described as “evasive and obstructive behaviour” during a meeting on progress into investigations of the George building collapse that claimed multiple lives last year.
Committee members expressed frustration that the municipality failed to submit its investigation report, arrived accompanied by legal representatives and avoided direct responses to parliamentary questions. “The committees expressed serious concern about the attitude of the George Local Municipality. The municipality didn’t send their investigation report, attended the meeting accompanied by legal representatives and were evasive when probed by members of the committee,” said Ms Carol Phiri, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure.
Ms Phiri said such conduct was “tantamount to obstructing accountability”, reminding the municipality that Parliament has a constitutional mandate of oversight, which will not be undermined.
The committees endorsed the Council for the Built Environment’s assessment that the George building collapse represents “an anatomy of a failed system”, citing regulatory fragmentation, siloed government operations and weak monitoring mechanisms in the built environment as contributing factors.
Committee members were disatisfied that no one has been held accountable more than a year after the tragedy. The South African Police Service (SAPS) told the committees its investigation is at an advanced stage and should be finalised by the end of November, provided it receives the Department of Employment and Labour’s (DEL) outstanding report.
Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Mr Jomo Sibiya assured Parliament that the DEL report is complete and will be submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) soon.
The committees were also concerned about the shortage of labour inspectors, with the DEL confirming that only 2 000 inspectors are currently deployed nationwide. The department said it would like to double that number, funds permitting, to strengthen monitoring and compliance with labour laws.
Members further expressed alarm at the high number of undocumented foreign nationals employed in the construction industry. They called for stronger cooperation between the Department of Employment and Labour, Department of Home Affairs, and SAPS to hold employers accountable for non-compliance.
The committees said they will reconvene early next year to assess progress on all outstanding investigations. They also resolved that the George Municipality must submit additional information, warning that failure to do so will result in Parliament issuing a subpoena against the municipality.
“The committees remain firm that accountability must be enforced, and justice served for the victims of the George building collapse,” said Mr Nocks Seabi, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements.
Malatswa Molepo
6 November 2025
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