Parliament, Thursday, 20 November 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure has criticised the Department of Social Development (DSD) for giving incorrect information about the support it claimed to have provided to families of the George building collapse victims and survivors.
During today’s public engagement, survivors and affected families told the committee that they have received little to no help from government departments such as the Department of Social Development and the Department of Employment and Labour. They said the Department of Social Development did not support victims’ families by providing counselling.
Survivors also expressed disappointment with the DSD, accusing the department of making empty promises and failing to provide real assistance. They also called for all victims to be treated equally, regardless of their nationality.
Committee Chairperson Ms Carol Phiri said, “What we are finding out today is that government promised that all victims would be assisted, but no one clearly explained that proper documentation is still needed for government help to be received.”
“There is a Ncube family from Zimbabwe who have submitted all the necessary documentation for assistance with cost incurred for burial and repatriation of the body. We are pleased that government is living up to its commitment to assist everyone. We further call upon all survivors to ensure their documents are in order so they can be assisted without delay,” added Ms Phiri.
“What has been most disturbing today is the attitude of the Department of Social Development, which misrepresented the extent to which it supported victims,” she said.
The Department of Social Development said it had offered as much help as it could, including food parcels and support beyond its normal duties. The department said families were expecting more than what it was legally allowed to provide.
The Department of Employment and Labour explained that it experienced difficulties verifying who was on site when the building collapsed and had to rely on witness statements and information from families. It reported receiving claims from 15 South African citizens and 53 foreign nationals, noting that some delays were due to documentation challenges.
The committee also raised concerns about misleading statements from an employee of the George Municipality, who claimed that the municipality had assisted victims with money. The committee expressed disappointment that the executive mayor, was present during the meeting but did not correct the misleading statement made by the employee.
It is unacceptable to see people who have lost limbs because of this terrible incident, and even worse that there is confusion about who should take responsibility, concluded Ms Phiri.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS ANDINFRASTRUCTURE, MS CAROL PHIRI.
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