GEORGE – Nearly two years after the deadly George building collapse claimed 34 lives the GOOD party has renewed calls for accountability and justice saying the lack of action following a completed forensic investigation is unacceptable.
The collapse of the five storey Neo Victoria construction site in George on 6 May 2024 remains one of the deadliest construction disasters in South African history.
Rescue teams worked for days to recover survivors and the bodies of workers trapped beneath the rubble exposing deep failures in construction oversight and regulatory enforcement.
Despite the Western Cape Government completing and handing over a forensic investigation report to the South African Police Service a year ago no clear public outcome has been communicated and no accountability has followed.
GOOD George Municipality councillor Chantelle Kyd said the silence surrounding the investigation is deeply troubling for the victims families and the broader community.
“One year has passed since the completion and handover of the forensic investigation yet there has been no clear public outcome no accountability and no justice for the victims and their families,” Kyd said in a statement yesterday.
She said a forensic report without consequences does not serve the public interest.
“Lives were lost because systems meant to protect the public failed. Families were shattered and a full year later the people of George are still left in the dark about who will be held responsible.”
The forensic investigation found serious regulatory failures including non compliance with construction standards inadequate oversight and breakdowns in approval and inspection processes.
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These findings raised concerns about how the project was allowed to proceed despite apparent safety and compliance issues.
Kyd questioned the absence of progress since the report was handed over to police.
“Why has there been no visible progress in the investigation. Have charges been considered or recommended. Who is accountable for the regulatory failures that allowed this tragedy to occur,” she asked.
She warned that delays risk normalising negligence and eroding public trust in public institutions. “Justice delayed is justice denied. Accountability cannot end at handover,” Kyd said.
The GOOD party has called on SAPS and all relevant authorities to publicly account for the status of the investigation clarify whether criminal charges will follow and commit to concrete timelines for action.
“SAPS has had the forensic report for a year. The time for reports has passed. The time for charges and accountability is now,” Kyd said.
Authorities have previously confirmed that the investigation is ongoing but have not provided timelines or further details citing the sensitivity of the case.
