GEORGE – Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) Minister Dean Macpherson has called on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to take prosecutorial action following the completion of the South African Police Service’s investigation into the deadly George building collapse.

The call comes as the country marks two years since the collapse of a five-storey apartment development in George on 6 May 2024, which claimed 34 lives and injured 28 others in what has been described as South Africa’s deadliest building collapse.

In a joint statement issued by the DPWI and the South African Police Service (SAPS) on Tuesday (6 May), Macpherson said the tragedy remained “a painful reminder” of the work still needed to prevent similar disasters and strengthen accountability in the built environment.

Since assuming office two months after the collapse, Macpherson said he had met with victims and their families in George to communicate the outcomes of an investigation into the engineer responsible for signing off the building plans.

According to the statement, the engineer was found guilty of five contraventions of the law and suspended.

The minister also said he had met with the Minister of Human Settlements earlier this year to tighten building regulations to help prevent a similar tragedy from occurring again.

Macpherson said responsibility now rested with the NPA after the SAPS completed its investigation.

“With [the] SAPS having completed its investigation, the ball is now in the court of the NPA to take the necessary prosecutorial decisions and, where warranted, bring those responsible to court for this avoidable tragedy,” he said.

“No one should be above the law. Not an engineer, not a developer, not an official, and not any person whose actions or failures may have contributed to this disaster. Justice delayed only deepens the pain of families who have already waited too long for answers.”

Reflecting on the anniversary, the minister paid tribute to those affected by the collapse.

“Today, we remember every life lost, every family still grieving, and every survivor who continues to live with the consequences of this tragedy. The George building collapse remains one of the most painful construction disasters in our country’s recent history. It was a tragedy that should never have happened, and one that must never be allowed to happen again,” Macpherson said.

He added that the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure would continue cooperating with law enforcement agencies and counterpart departments to support the pursuit of justice for victims and their families.

“On this second anniversary, we once again express our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. We stand with the survivors. We honour the rescue workers. And we renew our commitment to ensuring that justice is done, accountability is enforced, and that a tragedy like the George building collapse never happens again.”

READ: Demands for answers on George building collapse investigation

Eric Ntabazalila, spokesperson of the NPA in the Western Cape told NovaNews that prosecuting authority is busy considering evidence in relation to the building collapse.

“The NPA is busy considering the evidence. We are being thorough due to the nature of the evidence we are dealing with.”

Ntabazalila provided no time estimate for the completion of the NPA’s investigation.