Update

GEORGE NEWS - Three directors of Neo Victoria Developments, the development company of the apartment block in Victoria Street that collapsed on 6 May, have resigned since the disaster.

Dylan Brockway and Alwyn Gey van Pittius resigned on 13 May, a week after the implosion, and Johannes Swanepoel on 18 June. The only remaining member is Carel Swanepoel, according to a search on the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC)'s website.

George Herald is awaiting comment from the attorney acting on their behalf, Ryan du Preez, as to what motivated their resignation and what the implications will be for Swanepoel during the ongoing investigations.

Thirty-four people lost their lives when the five-storey building collapsed in an instant. It took a week for rescue teams to extract those who were on site when it happened and several more days to clear the rubble.

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The Engineering Council of South Africa (Ecsa) suspended the structural engineer on the project, Athol Mitchell, while their investigation is underway. 

The council ordered that engineering reports be supplied on all engineering-related projects that his company, Mitchell and Associates, has been involved in over the past three years.

Department and police investigations

Jason Lloyd, spokesperson for the Department of Employment and Labour, said their investigation is ongoing. It is complex and no details can be divulged. 

Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies said the inquest docket into the death of workers on the construction site, is the subject of an ongoing police investigation. "No time frames can be attached to the matter. The case docket for a decision will be submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority upon conclusion of the police investigation."

Support to survivors

George Herald recently reported on a seeming lack of a clear strategy to assist the survivors and injured who were brought up from under the rubble. 

George Rotary Club became aware of their plight through two volunteers who have been assisting some of them and the club made an impassioned attempt at bringing this to the attention of the authorities concerned. This has led to a special effort to get the necessary paperwork and processes in place so that support can be provided.

Theuns Kruger, owner of Liatel Developments, the construction company on the project, did not respond to attempts to contact him regarding progress in potential payouts to the injured by the Compensation Commissioner.

The future of the disaster site is yet to be determined. Du Preez had earlier told the newspaper that the matter was being contemplated.

Specific details were still being finalised and he had promised to share more information in this regard in due course.

Neo Victoria Developments director Carel Swanepoel

9 May: 34 people lost their lives when the five-storey building collapsed in an instant on 6 May. Photo: Alida de Beer

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