Building council and contractor under fire

GEORGE NEWS - A significant development came to light in the investigation of the George building disaster of almost a year ago, on 6 May 2024.

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane reported to Parliament last week (Friday 4 April) that some National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) officials had manipulated the systems, ignored missing documentation, and even used unauthorised login credentials to approve the project, exposing systemic failures within the council.

The collapse of the five-storey residential development Neo Victoria resulted in 34 deaths, leaving 28 survivors.

The focus has now turned to the NHBRC officials and the contractor, Liatel Developments, who have been referred to the police for a criminal investigation.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies said the matter is the subject of an ongoing police probe, saying the docket will be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority for a decision once their investigation is concluded.

An independent probe commissioned by the NHBRC uncovered serious lapses, revealing that the officials had failed to follow proper procedures, including approving a multi-storey building that was initially registered as a single-storey structure without conducting adequate technical assessments or site inspections.

The contractor, owned by Theuns Kruger, has also been implicated, with evidence suggesting construction had begun without the required NHBRC enrolment certificate.

This is what the former construction site currently looks like. Photo: Michelle Pienaar

Liatel Developments

While Kruger denies liability and plans legal action against those he holds responsible, Simelane confirmed that both the NHBRC officials and Liatel Developments are now under police scrutiny for potential criminal charges, including culpable homicide.

In an exclusive interview with the Cape Argus, Kruger said they were co-operating with authorities, including the NHBRC, and maintained that the company was not liable for the building tragedy (IOL, 6 April 2025 "Contractor of George Building collapse denies liability and plans legal action").

Kruger asserted that Liatel Developments was not responsible for critical administrative failures, particularly the enrolment process with the NHBRC. He claimed his company's name was used without consent by the developer, Neo Victoria Developments, during the NHBRC registration, a process he says Liatel was not directly involved in managing.

Rescue work in progress almost a year ago, on 7 May 2024. Photo: Michelle Pienaar