Dean Macpherson Vows Accountability and Reform as George Building Collapse Probe Nears Conclusion

As South Africa solemnly marked the one-year anniversary of the catastrophic George building collapse, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson reaffirmed government’s commitment to justice, transparency, and sweeping reform within the construction and regulatory sectors.

On May 6th last year, a building in George, Western Cape, crumbled during construction, killing 34 people and seriously injuring 28 others. The harrowing event sparked public outrage and led to a series of investigations into the root causes of the disaster.

Now, a year later, the nation remembers the lives lost and looks toward answers. Minister Macpherson announced that the long-awaited report by the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) and the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) will be finalized by the end of May. This official report is expected to build on the findings of an earlier independent forensic investigation and is likely to inform future regulatory reform and legal action.

“Our responsibility is to fix what is broken and ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” said Macpherson, speaking at a somber commemoration event in George on Tuesday.

Macpherson emphasized the need for full transparency and accountability, especially from both public officials and private sector professionals.

“That is why I have insisted that transparency guides our work, and that those who fail in their duties, whether public servants or professionals, must face the consequences,” he added.

A Damning Forensic Report Revealed Systemic Failures

The independent forensic investigation, commissioned shortly after the tragedy, has already uncovered deeply troubling findings. Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane released the report in April, revealing extensive failures across multiple regulatory and managerial fronts.

Key revelations include:

• Non-compliance with regulatory standards by contractors and oversight bodies.

• Irregular project enrollment in the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC).

• Inspection and quality control lapses throughout the construction process.

• Poor material quality and use of substandard building methods.

• Severe violations of occupational health and safety (OHS) protocols, contributing to the high casualty rate.

The report singled out the NHBRC and project personnel for mismanagement and failure to uphold the basic tenets of safe and compliant construction.

Commemorating the Victims and Honoring the Responders

The one-year memorial, held at the George Town Hall site, was a deeply emotional event. Minister Macpherson paid tribute to the victims, survivors, and the rescue teams who worked tirelessly in the aftermath.

“We remember every life lost. We mourn every dream of a future life that was cut short that day,” he said.

Special thanks were extended to the South African Police Service and emergency workers who led the 11-day search and rescue operation. Among those honored was Captain Johan de Lange and his team, credited for their rigorous work in building a legal case to bring justice to the affected families.

“They are heroes who worked through the most difficult circumstances, day and night, to rescue survivors. We feel the pain of families whose fathers did not come home to read their daughters and sons bedtime stories,” Macpherson added.

A Call for Unity, Reform, and Justice

Macpherson stressed that the tragedy, while heartbreaking, must serve as a watershed moment for systemic change in South Africa’s construction and infrastructure oversight.

“The pain, trauma, and human tragedy that occurred calls on all of us—government, industry, and civil society—to work together and ensure this never happens again.”

The upcoming report from the CBE and ECSA is anticipated to recommend structural reforms, improved enforcement mechanisms, and legal measures to hold negligent parties accountable.

For families of the victims and the broader South African public, the hope is that meaningful change will follow the sorrow.

“We are weighed down by the lifelong wait until we see them again in heaven,” Macpherson concluded. “And we recognise every survivor who carries the physical and emotional scars of that day. This tragedy should never have happened.”

As the nation awaits the final report, it remains clear that the George building collapse is not just a tragic chapter in South Africa’s history—it is a stark call to action.