The South African government said the construction collapse in which 34 construction workers died in the Western Cape last year was “completely preventable”.
A new report on the tragedy shows that the five-story apartment block built in May 2024 in part of Georgetown collapsed has raised serious safety issues.
Public Works Secretary Dean Macpherson said the collapse was the result of multiple failures, including the use of unqualified materials, structural cracks and visible gaps.
“There are a lot of red flags about this project,” said an angry Macpherson.
Some flaws were found a year before the collapse. The report found that health and safety officials even resigned but were still working.
“This work should be stopped,” McPherson said.
He added that these signs are opportunities for turnover, but instead, the problems with the buildings are “covered”.
The report shows that workers reported vibrations in the structure and were told to cover the holes with sand and unqualified concrete.
Following the minister’s private meeting described by him as “emotional and painful” with the survivors and victims’ families, he called for criminal responsibility for those found to be negligent.
Police investigations are underway, but no arrests are made.
Macpherson said many survivors still face trauma, medical expenses and efforts to keep food on the table.
Electrician Delvin Safers was fixed to concrete and metal for 28 hours. He sent notes to his family, thinking he might die.
When concrete fell on them, one of his colleagues was killed immediately.
The Rescue told the BBC after the rescue that he noticed no warning signs but believed that if a shortcut was taken during construction, those responsible for “coping” were held.
He did not attend the minister’s briefing, but his father, Deon, told the BBC that the report was impressed.
“We want justice,” he said. His son received no compensation.
Another survivor of the disaster, Elelwani, told local media in tears that her life had changed last year.
She lost many teeth, worked hard to eat, and was always the subject of bullying. She called for money from good wishes.
McPherson promised to propose regulations to improve oversight of outdated legislation in construction and reform.
The investigation was conducted by the Council on the built environment and was conducted by the South African Engineering Commission in parallel.
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