Authorities are remaining tight-lipped about the contents of the Western Cape Government's final independent report into the George building collapse, as it has been officially handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further investigation.
On Thursday the Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, delivered the final report, which includes structural engineering findings from an independent investigation commissioned by the Western Cape Government, to Western Cape Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile and Captain Johan de Lange, the lead investigator on the matter.
The collapse occurred on 6 May 2024, while the building was still under construction, tragically resulting in the deaths of 34 people and causing serious injuries to many others. A multi-stakeholder disaster operation successfully rescued 28 people alive from the rubble.
Robyn Thaw, spokesperson for Premier Winde, provided context around the investigation:
“At the time, the Western Cape Government understood that this event would have profound repercussions on human lives and livelihoods. An investigation into its cause was essential.
“Therefore, alongside the ongoing rescue operations, we secured an independent structural engineering firm to conduct an investigation of the collapse site.”
Police spokesperson Sergeant Christopher Spies confirmed that the final report, is now in the possession of SAPS.
Spies further explained that the report is being scrutinized as part of an ongoing investigation.
“An inquest docket was opened at the time, and this investigation is still underway. The docket will be sent to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) upon conclusion of the police investigation,” said Spies.
While the details of the report remain confidential for now, its findings are expected to play a critical role in guiding the ongoing investigation.
“The report is now in the domain of the SAPS which must consider both the findings of this independent report and all other evidence in their possession as part of the overall criminal investigation to determine if charges are to be brought.
“The technical findings in the report are of such a nature that the Western Cape Government believes they will significantly assist the SAPS investigation,” said Winde.
“The findings that stem from the various agencies’ investigations must be consolidated to ensure an overall understanding of what transpired and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”
Winde emphasized the importance of the investigation and the role the independent report will play. “I want to acknowledge the forethought and hard work of the staff in our government who, along with many other partners, worked tirelessly to rescue those trapped on the site and thought about the importance of commissioning this report to understand the causes of this collapse.
“There must be consequences for those responsible for this horrific tragedy. We have now handed over the report to the SAPS, who we have been assured are working tirelessly on this case, and we will continue to monitor this matter very closely.”
Reflecting on the emotional weight of the event, Winde shared: “I will never forget being there when our teams recovered Gabriel Guambe alive from the site over 100 hours after its collapse. It is for him, for Delvin Safers, for their peers and friends who made it out alive, and for those who succumbed, and the families of the victims, that justice must be delivered.”
David Esau, spokesperson for the Department of Labour, said that they could not provide comment on the independent report, as they had not seen it.
However, he explained that for their own investigation, the department follows a prescribed process as outlined in Sections 31 and 32 of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act.
“As a province, we cannot respond as the National Chief Inspector must make a decision. That decision will be communicated to all role players and the media once her decision is made, which I cannot even ask her about, as it would be deemed as an interference,” Esau said.