Minister Calls Building Collapse that Killed 34 in South Africa 'Entirely Preventable'

Sun Oct 19 2025 05:16:17 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A South African report reveals that safety concerns raised prior to a deadly building collapse last year went unaddressed, leading to the loss of 34 lives.

The South African government has deemed the tragic building collapse in George, which resulted in 34 fatalities, as "entirely preventable." A recent report highlights serious safety violations, including substandard materials and structural defects, that were ignored despite warnings. Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson is calling for accountability as survivors continue to suffer from the aftermath.

A devastating building collapse in George, South Africa, that claimed the lives of 34 construction workers was declared “entirely preventable” by government officials. A newly released report indicates that numerous safety warnings were ignored before the partial five-storey apartment block fell, causing fatalities and injuries.

Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson highlighted critical issues leading up to the collapse, such as the use of inferior materials, structural cracks, and observable gaps within the structure. “There were a number of red flags that were continually raised about this project,” Macpherson commented in a visibly emotional statement.

Recommended overrides were dismissed over the course of the project, with defects identified as long as a year before the ultimate collapse. Alarmingly, the health and safety officer resigned in protest due to these enduring concerns, but the construction continued unabated.

Workers voiced their discomfort with vibrations felt in the incomplete structure, while reports of being instructed to improperly cover holes with sand and low-grade concrete surfaced. Following a notably distressing meeting with victims' families and survivors, Macpherson strongly urged for criminal accountability for negligent parties, although police investigations remain ongoing with no arrests made to date.

Survivors are left grappling with deep trauma, mounting medical bills, and daily struggles, as illustrated by Elelwani, a survivor who recounted her drastic life changes post-tragedy. She has faced significant physical changes and societal bullying, leading her to seek assistance from the community.

In response to the findings, Macpherson vowed to implement stricter regulations to enhance construction oversight and reform outdated legal frameworks. The report was formulated through investigations conducted by the Council for the Built Environment alongside the Engineering Council of South Africa.