{"id":268158,"date":"2025-07-22T11:02:45","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T09:02:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\/"},"modified":"2025-07-22T11:04:41","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T09:04:41","slug":"george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\/","title":{"rendered":"George building collapse \u2018entirely preventable\u2019, investigation finds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A damning investigation into the devastating building collapse<\/a> that killed 34 construction workers in George, has concluded that the tragedy was “entirely preventable” and resulted from a cascade of safety failures that were ignored for more than a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The comprehensive report, released this week by Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson<\/a>, reveals that serious structural concerns were raised as early as 2023 \u2013 a full year before the five-storey apartment block came crashing down in May 2024, leaving 34 dead and 28 seriously injured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warning signs ignored<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The investigation, conducted jointly by the Council for the Built Environment and the Engineering Council of South Africa, paints a picture of systematic negligence at the Victoria Street construction site in Dormehls Drift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Workers had reported feeling ominous vibrations throughout the partially built structure and noticed concerning movement in a roof slab just two days before the catastrophic collapse. Despite these alarming signs, construction continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“There were a number of red flags that were continually raised about this project,” said Macpherson during the report’s release. “The work should have stopped.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The more than 200-page report details how structural cracks were visible at the base of columns as early as 2023. Rather than addressing these fundamental issues, workers were allegedly instructed to “patch” the cracks with substandard cement and cover up holes with sand and inferior concrete \u2013 a practice the investigation described as “shoddy workmanship.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safety officer’s protest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps most telling was the resignation of the project’s health and safety officer, who quit in protest over the dangerous conditions. Despite this warning, construction pressed ahead on the doomed building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“These signs were a chance to turn back, but instead, problems with the building were covered up,” Macpherson explained, describing the situation as one where multiple failures converged into disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The investigation also highlighted serious geological factors that were ignored during construction, including the presence of water during the building of underground parking \u2013 a critical oversight that compromised the structure’s foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Public
Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson has released the scathing report into the George building collapse in 2024, stating that serious structural concerns were raised as early as 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Survivors still suffering<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The human cost of these failures continues to reverberate through the George community more than a year later. Survivors are grappling not only with physical injuries but also mounting medical bills and psychological trauma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the of the survivors tearfully described how the disaster has transformed her life. She lost multiple teeth in the collapse, struggles to eat, and has endured bullying. Like many survivors, she has received no compensation and appeals for assistance from well-wishers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We want justice,” victims and their families have repeatedly stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calls for criminal charges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Following what he described as an “emotional and painful” private meeting with survivors and victims’ families, Minister Macpherson called for criminal accountability for those found negligent in the disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While a police investigation is underway, no arrests have been made to date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Msizi Myeza from the Council for the Built Environment emphasized that the structural integrity issues were foreseeable and preventable, making the loss of life all the more tragic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The investigation has prompted promises of significant reform in South Africa’s construction oversight. Macpherson pledged to introduce new regulations to improve construction monitoring and overhaul what he described as “outdated legislation” governing the building industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The report recommends a comprehensive review of current construction laws and the implementation of stricter oversight mechanisms to prevent similar tragedies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A damning investigation into the devastating building collapse that killed 34 construction workers in George, has concluded that the tragedy was “entirely preventable” .<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":85,"featured_media":268161,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"71","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"60","_yoast_wpseo_inclusive_language_score":"90","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_crsspst_to_novanewscoza":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozabloemnewsexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozacityvision":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozadistrictmailhelderberg":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaeikestadnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozahermanustimes":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakomani-karoo":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakougaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozamthathaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozanoordkaapbulletin":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapaarlpost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaswartlandgazette":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozatygerburger":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaudexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavistanews":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavrystaatkroon":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweskusnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweslander":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaworcesterstandard":false,"_EventAllDay":"","_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":"","_EventShowMapLink":"","_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":"","_EventVenueID":"","_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":"","_VenueShowMapLink":"","_application":"","_batch_id":"","_company_name":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_company_website":"","_custom_id":"","_EventDuration":"","_EventOrigin":"","_EventTimezoneAbbr":"","_featured":"","_filled":"","_job_expires":"","_job_location":"","_media_credit":"","_media_credit_url":"","_menu_item_menu_item_parent":"","_menu_item_object":"","_menu_item_object_id":"","_menu_item_target":"","_menu_item_type":"","_menu_item_url":"","_menu_item_xfn":"","_navis_media_can_distribute":"","_navis_media_credit_org":"","_OrganizerOrigin":"","_provider":"","_pum_built_in":"","_pum_default_theme":"","_pum_form_conversion_count":"","_remote_id":"","_remote_name":"","_remote_position":"","_report_frequency":"","_report_reference_dates":"","_send_attempts":"","_site_id":"","_sitemap_exclude":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","_sitemap_priority":"","_source_url":"","_subscription_period":"","_subscription_period_interval":"","_subscription_price":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":"","_template_type":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_tribe_aggregator_allow_multiple_organizers":"","_tribe_aggregator_content_type":"","_tribe_aggregator_file":"","_tribe_aggregator_finalized":"","_tribe_aggregator_hash":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_id":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_interactive":"","_tribe_aggregator_origin":"","_tribe_aggregator_post_status":"","_tribe_aggregator_preview":"","_tribe_aggregator_source_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_type":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_hide_attendees_list":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":"","_tribe_ticket_version":"","_type":"","_VenueOrigin":"","_wp_attachment_context":"","_wp_attachment_image_alt":"","_wp_font_face_file":"","_wp_old_date":"","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"3","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_block-catalog":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"1","_yoast_wpseo_primary_job_listing_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_nova_retailer":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_publication":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_tribe_events_cat":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-duration":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-rating":"","_menu_item_classes":[],"_tribe_modified_fields":[],"_wp_attachment_backup_sizes":[],"_wp_suggested_privacy_policy_content":[],"_yoast_post_redirect_info":[],"_yoast_wpseo_video_meta":[],"activation_date":"","archive_insertion_is_repeating":"","archive_insertion_posts_count":"","article_feature_media":"","article_feature_type":"","article_main_image_caption":"","article_media_icon":"","article_template":"","author_byline":"","background_color":"","block_editor":"1","byline":"","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"","hide_border":"","icon":"","is_wp_suggestion":"","issuu_download_url":"","issuu_embed_url":"","language_version_url":"","large_border":"","name":"","nm_contact_name":"","nm_contact_number":"","nm_date_lost":"","no_overlay_background":"","node-url":"","obituary_born_date":"","obituary_died_date":"","obituary_memoriam_text":"","origin":"","overlay_color":"","overlay_opacity":"","overlay_size":"","placement":"","plural_label":"","post_author":"","post_id":"","post_language":"en","secret-key":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","start_date":"","utm_suppression":"","video_embed_url":"","wp_pattern_sync_status":"","data_version":[],"enclosure":[],"pongrass_image":[],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[8614,8615,8616,91],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-268158","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-council-for-the-built-environment","tag-dean-macpherson","tag-george-building-collapse","tag-top"],"yoast_head":"\nGeorge building collapse \u2018entirely preventable\u2019, investigation finds | People's Post<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson releases a report on the George building collapse, highlighting severe safety failures.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"George building collapse \u2018entirely preventable\u2019, investigation finds\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson releases a report on the George building collapse, highlighting severe safety failures.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"People's Post\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PeoplesPostNewsPaper\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-07-22T09:02:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-07-22T09:04:41+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AFP__20240507__34R38D7__v2__MidRes__TopshotSafricaAccident.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Novus Media\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@thepeoplespost\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@thepeoplespost\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Novus Media\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Novus Media\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5b0f5dd3127155fbc3e439e887ae352f\"},\"headline\":\"George building collapse \u2018entirely preventable\u2019, investigation finds\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-07-22T09:02:45+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-22T09:04:41+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":578,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/07\\\/AFP__20240507__34R38D7__v2__MidRes__TopshotSafricaAccident.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Council for the Built Environment\",\"Dean Macpherson\",\"George building collapse\",\"Top\"],\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\\\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2025\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\\\/\",\"name\":\"George building collapse \u2018entirely preventable\u2019, investigation finds | People's Post\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/07\\\/AFP__20240507__34R38D7__v2__MidRes__TopshotSafricaAccident.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-07-22T09:02:45+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-22T09:04:41+00:00\",\"description\":\"Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson releases a report on the George building collapse, highlighting severe safety failures.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/07\\\/AFP__20240507__34R38D7__v2__MidRes__TopshotSafricaAccident.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/07\\\/AFP__20240507__34R38D7__v2__MidRes__TopshotSafricaAccident.jpg\",\"width\":1800,\"height\":1200,\"caption\":\"Rescue workers are seen at the scene of a collapsed building in George on 7 May 2024. The collapse of the building under construction left 34 people dead and 28 seriously injured. PHOTO: Willie van Tonder \\\/ AFP\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"News\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"George building collapse \u2018entirely preventable\u2019, investigation finds\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/\",\"name\":\"People's Post\",\"description\":\"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Peoples Post\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/peoples-post-site-icon.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/peoples-post-site-icon.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"Peoples Post\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/PeoplesPostNewsPaper\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/thepeoplespost\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/peoplespostnewspaper\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/@peoplespostnewsCPT\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5b0f5dd3127155fbc3e439e887ae352f\",\"name\":\"Novus Media\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/301565e6eb478c51ef897a38a789d0f3da6ec2a9ceb0d64f47de374b41e63698?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/301565e6eb478c51ef897a38a789d0f3da6ec2a9ceb0d64f47de374b41e63698?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/301565e6eb478c51ef897a38a789d0f3da6ec2a9ceb0d64f47de374b41e63698?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Novus Media\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/author\\\/novusmedia\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"George building collapse \u2018entirely preventable\u2019, investigation finds | People's Post","description":"Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson releases a report on the George building collapse, highlighting severe safety failures.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"George building collapse \u2018entirely preventable\u2019, investigation finds","og_description":"Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson releases a report on the George building collapse, highlighting severe safety failures.","og_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\/","og_site_name":"People's Post","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PeoplesPostNewsPaper","article_published_time":"2025-07-22T09:02:45+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-07-22T09:04:41+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1800,"height":1200,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AFP__20240507__34R38D7__v2__MidRes__TopshotSafricaAccident.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Novus Media","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@thepeoplespost","twitter_site":"@thepeoplespost","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Novus Media","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\/"},"author":{"name":"Novus Media","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#\/schema\/person\/5b0f5dd3127155fbc3e439e887ae352f"},"headline":"George building collapse \u2018entirely preventable\u2019, investigation finds","datePublished":"2025-07-22T09:02:45+00:00","dateModified":"2025-07-22T09:04:41+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\/"},"wordCount":578,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AFP__20240507__34R38D7__v2__MidRes__TopshotSafricaAccident.jpg","keywords":["Council for the Built Environment","Dean Macpherson","George building collapse","Top"],"articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2025","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\/","name":"George building collapse \u2018entirely preventable\u2019, investigation finds | People's Post","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AFP__20240507__34R38D7__v2__MidRes__TopshotSafricaAccident.jpg","datePublished":"2025-07-22T09:02:45+00:00","dateModified":"2025-07-22T09:04:41+00:00","description":"Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson releases a report on the George building collapse, highlighting severe safety failures.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AFP__20240507__34R38D7__v2__MidRes__TopshotSafricaAccident.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AFP__20240507__34R38D7__v2__MidRes__TopshotSafricaAccident.jpg","width":1800,"height":1200,"caption":"Rescue workers are seen at the scene of a collapsed building in George on 7 May 2024. The collapse of the building under construction left 34 people dead and 28 seriously injured. PHOTO: Willie van Tonder \/ AFP"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/george-building-collapse-entirely-preventable-investigation-finds\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"George building collapse \u2018entirely preventable\u2019, investigation finds"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#website","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/","name":"People's Post","description":"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-ZA"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#organization","name":"Peoples Post","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/peoples-post-site-icon.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/peoples-post-site-icon.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"Peoples Post"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PeoplesPostNewsPaper","https:\/\/x.com\/thepeoplespost","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/peoplespostnewspaper\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@peoplespostnewsCPT"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#\/schema\/person\/5b0f5dd3127155fbc3e439e887ae352f","name":"Novus Media","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/301565e6eb478c51ef897a38a789d0f3da6ec2a9ceb0d64f47de374b41e63698?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/301565e6eb478c51ef897a38a789d0f3da6ec2a9ceb0d64f47de374b41e63698?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/301565e6eb478c51ef897a38a789d0f3da6ec2a9ceb0d64f47de374b41e63698?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Novus Media"},"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/author\/novusmedia\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AFP__20240507__34R38D7__v2__MidRes__TopshotSafricaAccident.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":45341,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/national-assembly-fire-minister-macpherson-pushes-for-swift-restoration-with-bi-weekly-progress-reports-20240730\/","url_meta":{"origin":268158,"position":0},"title":"National Assembly fire: Minister Macpherson pushes for swift restoration with bi-weekly progress reports","author":"People's Post","date":"3 August 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson will request bi-weekly updates on the National Assembly's restoration progress, aiming for completion by May 2026.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Parliament","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45247,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/watch-national-assembly-fire-restoration-progress-20240807\/","url_meta":{"origin":268158,"position":1},"title":"WATCH | National Assembly fire restoration progress","author":"People's Post","date":"7 August 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Two years since the National Assembly was gutted in a fire, Dean Macpherson, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, says he will be requesting bi-weekly updates on the progress made to restore the institution.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Parliament","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":298044,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/engineers-probe-partial-collapse-at-sea-point-apartment-development\/","url_meta":{"origin":268158,"position":2},"title":"Engineers probe partial collapse at Sea Point apartment development","author":"People's Post","date":"19 February 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Engineers are probing the cause of a structural collapse at The Magnolia development, a 10-storey luxury apartment building project, in Sea Point.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Engineers and construction experts are investigating the cause of a structural collapse in Sea Point.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/JkbConstruction.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/JkbConstruction.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/JkbConstruction.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/JkbConstruction.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/JkbConstruction.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/JkbConstruction.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":297024,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/two-workers-rescued-after-trench-collapse-at-va-waterfront\/","url_meta":{"origin":268158,"position":3},"title":"Two workers rescued after trench collapse at V&A Waterfront","author":"Kaylynne Bantom","date":"24 January 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Workers were trapped when a trench collapsed at a building site at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Area sealed off after trench collapse at V&A Waterfront infrastructure project.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/waterfront.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/waterfront.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/waterfront.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/waterfront.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/waterfront.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/waterfront.jpeg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":297240,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/area-sealed-off-after-trench-collapse-at-va-waterfront-infrastructure-project\/","url_meta":{"origin":268158,"position":4},"title":"Area sealed off after trench collapse at V&A Waterfront infrastructure project","author":"People's Post","date":"29 January 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Two construction workers were rescued after a trench collapsed at V&A Waterfront infrastructure project. Both discharged from hospital.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Area sealed off after trench collapse at V&A Waterfront infrastructure project.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/waterfront.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/waterfront.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/waterfront.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/waterfront.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/waterfront.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/waterfront.jpeg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":302157,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/e-hailing-passenger-dies-wynberg-tree-crushes-vehicle\/","url_meta":{"origin":268158,"position":5},"title":"E-Hailing Passenger Dies in Wynberg After Tree Crushes Vehicle","author":"People's Post","date":"12 May 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"An e-hailing passenger died in Wynberg after a tree blew over and crushed the vehicle","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"E-hailing passenger dies Wynberg \u2014 emergency crews respond to tree collapse on vehicle at corner of Tennant and Oak Roads","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/696097111_18585562234004800_131073209807149804_n.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/696097111_18585562234004800_131073209807149804_n.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/696097111_18585562234004800_131073209807149804_n.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/696097111_18585562234004800_131073209807149804_n.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/696097111_18585562234004800_131073209807149804_n.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/696097111_18585562234004800_131073209807149804_n.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"NovaNews","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/268158","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/85"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=268158"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/268158\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/268161"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=268158"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=268158"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=268158"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=268158"},{"taxonomy":"publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication?post=268158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}