Parliament, Wednesday, 5 November 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements and the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure have called for the urgent completion of the South African Police Service (SAPS) investigation into the George building collapse to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for the tragedy.
The committees expressed their dissatisfaction that, more than a year since the incident which claimed numerous lives, not a single person has been held accountable. The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Mr Nocks Seabi, noted that the SAPS has committed to finalising its investigation by the end of November, provided that the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) submits its outstanding report. The committees urged the DEL to expedite its investigation to enable the SAPS process to be finalised.
The committees reiterated that justice delayed is justice denied and accountability must be prioritised. They, however, welcomed the assurance that the investigation is prosecution-led to ensure that a solid case is presented to the court once concluded.
Furthermore, the committees emphasised that the collapse highlights systemic and regulatory weaknesses within the construction industry, as well as gaps in the monitoring and coordination among government departments and municipalities. The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure, Ms Carol Phiri, called for greater collaboration and coordination among all stakeholders in the built environment to strengthen oversight and ensure safety standards, despite fiscal constraints across all spheres of government.
The committees also raised concern about the shortage of inspectors within the Department of Employment and Labour, noting that with only around 2 000 inspectors nationally, the department faces significant challenges in effectively monitoring compliance with labour and safety laws.
In addition, the committees expressed concern about the high number of illegal foreign nationals employed in the construction industry and called for improved cooperation between the Department of Employment and Labour, the Department of Home Affairs and the SAPS to hold employers accountable for non-compliance.
The committees further expressed serious concern about the attitude of the George Local Municipality, which attended the meeting accompanied by legal representatives and refused to share a report with Parliament on unfounded grounds. The committees described this posture as worrying and tantamount to obstructing accountability. They reminded the municipality that Parliament has a constitutional mandate to exercise oversight, and this will not be undermined.
The committees have resolved that early next year they will reconvene and hopefully by then all outstanding investigations will be concluded. The committees also resolved that the George Municipality must provide additional information, and failure to comply will result in the committees instituting a process to subpoena the municipality.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS, MR NOCKS SEABI AND THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRACTURE, MS CAROL PHIRI.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Malatswa Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8438
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E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
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