ANC WC demands premier Winde release report on George building collapse

CAPE TOWN - The African National Congress (ANC) in the Western Cape is demanding that Premier Alan Winde release the report commissioned by the provincial government into the George building collapse.

This follows an investigation by the National Home Builders regulatory council into the 2024 tragedy revealed that the council's officials cut corners in the process.

It also revealed that the George Municipality approved the plans when construction had already begun, and that unqualified people were employed as engineers.

The five-storey development, known as 75 Victoria, caved in,  killing 34 people in May last year while it was still under construction.

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Winde has handed over the report containing findings from an expert report done by an independent structural engineering firm.

However, Winde says the report will not be disclosed publicly until police conclude their probe, which is 65% complete.

The ANC's Khalid Sayed says this is unacceptable.

"[Human Settlements] Minister Thembi Simelane has stepped up, the Premier of the Western Cape is hiding. He promised the report on the George building collapse would come to the legislature, now he must deliver. 34 people died, the families and this province deserve answers. It is about collapsed accountability, not just a collapsed building."

In the aftermath of the collapse, questions have been raised about protocols in the construction industry.