Parliament, Thursday, 20 November 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure says it remains deeply concerned about the George Municipality’s unwillingness to fully disclose what led to the building collapse in George.
Committee Chairperson Ms Carol Phiri said the municipality’s handling of the matter is “nothing short of exhausting”, as there is still no accountability for the families who lost their loved ones.
The committee met with the George Municipality to gather information about the collapse at 75 Victoria Street and to find out what steps have been taken to hold those responsible to account. “It is extremely frustrating to deal with the George Municipality. They continue to hide behind legal processes and refuse to release the Engineering Council of South Africa’s report on the collapse. The municipality received the report earlier this year and gave it to the police, yet they still will not share it with the committee,” Ms Phiri said.
The committee also stressed that the ongoing delays in finalising this matter are denying justice to the victims and their families. “Many people died while simply trying to earn a living, and their deaths risk being forgotten if no one is held responsible,” Ms Phiri added. “This tragedy shows how urgently South Africa needs stronger regulations in the built environment to ensure everyone follows the country’s laws and standards.”
Ms Phiri further pointed out the irony that the collapse site is only a short distance from the municipal offices. “During our site visit, we saw that the construction was clearly questionable. Municipal officials could have noticed this, but they didn’t. This is why we need stronger regulations and clearer responsibilities in this sector, instead of multiple entities with overlapping oversight,” she said.
The committee noted with concerns that the Occupational Health and Safety officer abandoned the site a month after the fatal disaster, not wanting to be tainted by association as they had sounded a warning about lack of safety at the building site.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE, MS CAROL PHIRI.
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