GEORGE NEWS - Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane issued a statement at the weekend in which she commits to the "full implementation" of the recommendations of the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) following its investigation into the George building collapse on 6 May last year.
Thirty-four people lost their lives and many more were seriously injured.
The statement refers to a preliminary report of the NHBRC that "suggests that several procedures were not followed, [and there was] a breach of the Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act, 1998 (Act No. 95 of 1998) and the recently signed Consumer Protection Act 25 of 2004".
Simelane says should the final report find that procedural flaws were committed and NHBRC building standards compromised, the department will refer the recommendations to the law enforcement authorities for investigation and possible criminal charges.
If any crime was committed, including by officials at the NHBRC, she "would not hesitate to act".
According to her statement, Simelane would "take the nation into her confidence" once the final report has been concluded. She appealed for people to be patient as "the process is at an advanced stage".
Home builders have to be registered with the NHBRC and must adhere to building standards and ethical practices.
Its officials have to conduct inspections at various stages of construction to ensure compliance with national building regulations and technical standards.
Thembi Simelane, national human settlements minister
The report of the structural engineering investigation that had been commissioned by the Western Cape Government, was handed over to the provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile, and Captain Johan de Lange, the lead investigator, on 30 January.
Premier Alan Winde refused to make the contents of the independent report public, saying it is entirely possible that criminal proceedings may ensue. "It is for this reason that the findings cannot be made public, so that we do not in any way compromise the SAPS investigation and further possible proceedings," he said.
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