A total of 62 people were recovered from the concrete grave following several days of rescue and recovery efforts during which approximately 6 000 tonnes of building rubble had been removed. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers
A provincial government investigation into the George multi-fatality building collapse is currently being peer-reviewed to determine the cause of the disaster.
The investigation is one of several independent investigations underway which authorities said will, as each one is concluded, be consolidated to ensure accountability after the tragedy claimed the lives of 34 people when the building collapsed on May 6.
Provincial government spokesperson, Melt Botes, said the peer-review and the parallel investigations should be allowed to run its course.
“The findings from an independent assessment/investigation, which the Western Cape Government undertook through a structural engineering firm to determine the cause of the disaster, are currently being peer-reviewed.
This process must be allowed to run its course to uphold and protect the integrity of the investigation.
“Our probe is one of several which are under way, including the SAPS investigation. Depending on the evidence criminal proceedings may proceed. It is for this reason that the findings of our probe cannot be made public. The findings flowing from the various agencies’ investigations must be consolidated so that we get an overall understanding of what transpired to ensure those responsible for this terrible tragedy are held accountable,” said Botes.
Police said their investigations are ongoing.
Police spokesperson, Christopher Spies, said: “This matter will only be sent to the National Prosecuting Authority upon conclusion of the police investigation.”
Labour Department spokesperson, Jason Lloyd, said: “We are not taking interviews at the moment until the inspectors have finalised the investigation and files a report to the Chief Inspector at Head Office in Pretoria.”
Earlier this year, Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) spokesperson Sybil Dlamini confirmed an individual - identified in media reports as a Paarl-based engineer who signed off on the plans for the project - was placed on precautionary suspension and the decision was taken to “protect any potential and/or actual prejudice to public health and safety as a result of engineering-related undertakings”.
Enquiries to land owners Neo Victoria Development’s legal team were unanswered by deadline.
The 75 Victoria development luxury 42-apartment block with basement parking, collapsed on May 6.
A total of 62 people were recovered from the concrete grave following several days of rescue and recovery efforts during which approximately 6 000 tonnes of building rubble had been removed.
The rescue operation was called off after 260 hours.
Meanwhile, Public Works and Infrastructure deputy minister, Sihle Zikalala, recently told a broadcaster there was a “culture of slavery” in the George community.
“While we are different spheres and organs, we also need a deeper understanding of a situation in that particular area. If you go to Home Affairs and inspections that they were doing there, you will find that in George, (they recorded) many people in the period of a quarter, who were foreign nationals, working there without permits. That tells you that this goes beyond the issue of a building that collapsed but it is some kind of slavery that is happening in that particular region. Although it is not confined to that region alone, it is all over the country but it seems to be rife there,” said Zikalala.
Cape Times