George building collapse survivors welcome engineering report

Update

GEORGE NEWS - The survivors and family of the building collapse on 6 May 2024 have welcomed the completion of the structural engineering investigation that had been commissioned by the Western Cape Government shortly after the incident.

Premier Alan Winde handed over the engineer's report on Thursday 30 January to Western Cape Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile and lead investigator Captain Johan de Lange in Cape Town.

The Building Collapse Victims Support Group in George issued a statement on Monday in which they thanked Winde for fast-tracking the investigation so that the findings can assist the SAPS.

"We now urge the Department of Labour to speed up their investigation so that the guilty parties can be brought to book. Most of all, we thank Captain Johan de Lange and the SAPS investigators of George.

"From day one of the disaster, they have worked tirelessly to gather crucial evidence and they have walked the extra mile to assist traumatised survivors and families with kindness and compassion," the statement said.

Findings not being made public

Many readers wanted to know why the findings are not being made public at this stage, some raising concerns over a potential cover-up.

Upon enquiry, spokesperson for the national police commissioner Brigadier Selepe Mashadi confirmed Winde's statement on Monday that the report will remain under wraps. "It is part of our investigation and will therefore not be released," she said.

Helene Viljoen, an attorney who advised Group Editors regarding reporting on the building collapse, said because an inquest docket was opened and criminal allegations are being investigated, standard police procedures apply.

"When the police believe that releasing information prior to finalising an investigation might harm the investigation or possible subsequent prosecution, it is standard procedure for them to decide not to release information.

"It is usually done to protect the integrity of the investigation and therefore in the interest of victims as well as the greater community. Because the police has not expressly indicated that the threat of harm to investigation is the reason why they have not released the information, I can only speculate that this may be their motivation. If so, it would be justifiable and understandable."

Attorney Helene Viljoen

Report being scrutinised

Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies confirmed that the report is now being scrutinised by the investigating team. "An inquest docket was opened at the time and this investigation is still underway. The docket will be sent to the National Prosecuting Authority upon conclusion of the police investigation. The police is not in a position to set a deadline for the investigation to be completed," said Spies.

Premier Alan Winde (left) handing over the investigation report.