Some George building collapse survivors happy with Macpherson’s assurance
Macpherson met with them on Saturday to present reports from the Council for the Built Environment and the Engineering Council of South Africa.
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson embraces a survivor from the George building collapse during a media briefing. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - Some survivors of the George building collapse have told Eyewitness News that they’re happy with Minister of Public Works Dean Macpherson’s assurances that those responsible for the tragedy will be held liable.
Macpherson met with them on Saturday to present reports from the Council for the Built Environment and the Engineering Council of South Africa.
ALSO READ:
- George building collapse: Minister saddened by findings
- George building collapse: Developer, contractor, engineer at fault - Engineering council
Both entities investigated systematic failures that led to the multi-storey building collapse, which claimed the lives of 34 construction workers in May 2024.
They found negligence and flouting of building regulations, among other findings, on the parts of the building developer, contractor, and engineer on site.
Shadrack Maine is one of the 28 artisans who were pulled alive from under 6,000 tonnes of rubble at 75 Victoria Road.
Maine, who lost both his left arm and leg in the tragedy, has told Eyewitness News that he hopes the minister will keep his word.
“We are struggling, we can’t find food. But I’m happy that the minister promised us that everything will be all right.”
Delvin Safers spent 28 hours trapped in the rubble; his father, Deon Safers, said that incident still haunts his son.
“I want to see those people involved in that George building to be brought to book. We want to see justice.”
A criminal investigation into the disaster is currently underway.