Minister Dean Macpherson
By Natalie Naidoo
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has urged changes to South Africa’s building rules to stop another disaster like the George building collapse. The five-storey apartment block at 75 Victoria Street in George came down on 6 May 2024, killing 34 workers and badly hurting 28 others. Macpherson shared the findings of a key report on 19 July 2025, after meeting privately with families who lost loved ones or saw them injured. He called the event “entirely preventable” and pointed to ignored warnings, poor materials, and weak oversight as the main causes.
The report from the Council for the Built Environment (CBE), along with a separate probe by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), lays blame on the developer, contractor, and engineer. It shows how rules were broken, safety signs missed, and shortcuts taken that cost lives. Macpherson, looking upset and angry, said the tragedy stemmed from a “lethal convergence” of mistakes across planning, checks, and rule-following by different bodies. “What happened here more than a year ago was a lethal convergence of all these failures. At every problem, at every red flag there was a chance to turn back but because of the weak regulatory environment there was either no incentive or requirement needed to do so,” he said.
Key Findings from the CBE and ECSA Reports
The probes dug deep into what went wrong at the site run by developer Neo Victoria Developments, contractor Liatel Developments, and engineer Athol Mitchell. Safety worries popped up as early as 2023, with workers spotting cracks in columns, odd shakes in the concrete slabs, and even holes in basement walls. Instead of stopping work, site bosses told workers to patch cracks with a mix of sand, cement, and mortar – a quick fix that hid big problems.
Two days before the fall, the roof slab moved in a strange way, but this was brushed off. The concrete used was weak too – tests showed it at just 13 megapascals, far below the needed 19 or 25 megapascals for strength. The person meant to handle the structure’s safety lacked the right skills for a big job like a five-storey build. Even the ground study, which checks soil and water risks, was half-done and missed key tests.
One shocking bit: the health and safety agent quit midway, saying they could no longer keep the site safe, but work carried on anyway. Workers felt shakes in the building and were told to cover holes with sand and weak concrete. These red flags were chances to stop, but a lax system let things slide. Macpherson said he felt sad and angry, knowing it all could have been stopped.
The ECSA report, focused on the engineer’s role, will go in the government gazette soon, with appeals open until 3 August 2025. It must feed into police probes for criminal blame. “If criminal wrongdoing is established, those responsible must be prosecuted without delay,” Macpherson stressed.
Broader Systemic Issues and NHBRC Lapses
The trouble didn’t stop at the site. A separate look by the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) in April 2025 found big slips in their processes. Work started on 3 July 2023 without full sign-up, which came 8 to 15 days late. Officials skipped checks, used wrong logins to approve, and let a single-storey plan turn into a multi-floor one without proper strength tests. At least three NHBRC staff face discipline, and two could see criminal charges. The CEO, Songezo Booi, got heat for not suspending them right away.
Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane called it a “very sad report” showing system breaks. Materials were okay, but rules on sign-up and safety were ignored. This points to wider problems in how builds get green lights and watched.
Impact on Families and Survivors
The meeting with families was tough and full of pain. Many still deal with trauma, medical bills, and hard times putting food on the table. Electrician Delvin Safers was stuck under rubble for 28 hours, sending voice notes to family thinking he might die. His mate died right away. Safers saw no signs but wants those who cut corners held to account. His dad, Deon, liked the report and seeks justice, with no pay-out yet.
Survivor Elelwani Mawela from Limpopo lost many teeth, struggles to eat, and faces bullying. She broke down at the briefing, saying life is hard and she fights suicidal thoughts. Macpherson hugged her, promising help. “There is great suffering in the families. They struggle to put food on the table, pay medical costs and have psychological challenges,” he said. The department is talking to social development and NGOs for aid, especially for those who lost main earners.
Workers came from South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. Families want justice and support, not just words.
Planned Reforms to Prevent Future Tragedies
Macpherson laid out a three-step plan to fix things. Phase one (2025-2026): Quick fixes like new rules, must-do standards, and emergency steps. Phase two (2026-2028): Big changes, including law tweaks and skill-based sign-ups. Phase three (2028 on): Bring all under one roof at public works.
He wants to update the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, last changed big in 1996. A hotline will let workers, experts, or public report worries anonymously, leading to checks and possible shutdowns. The CBE will set rules to report any structure fails. These aim to boost safety watch and stop shortcuts.
Simelane also pushed for tougher rules on builders after NHBRC findings.
Calls for Justice and Ongoing Probes
Police are probing for crime, with the ECSA report to help. Macpherson works with SAPS and NPA for accountability. “No contractor, engineer, or official should be beyond the reach of the law,” he said.
The Western Cape government’s report from January 2025 stays private, but Premier Alan Winde handed it to police in February. Other looks, like by the Department of Employment and Labour, keep going.
Groups like the GOOD Party want the CBE report tabled in George council for local action. Families deserve truth first, not through media.
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