LOCAL NEWS - In contrast to calls by many public figures to release the preliminary findings into the cause of the Victoria Street building disaster in George, the victims have urged authorities not to make any information public, but to wait until the case goes to trial.
Following various investigations into the fatal collapse on 6 May 2024, the 28 survivors and the families of the 34 deceased, fear that the release of these reports may jeopardise the criminal case that will hopefully start in the first quarter of 2026.
During their meeting with the national parliamentary Public Works Portfolio Committee in Thembalethu last week, a 7-point memorandum titled 'How can Government assist victims of the George Building Collapse?' was handed to the dignitaries.
Don't jeopardise the case
Point 6 of their memorandum reads: "The guilty parties will do everything in their might to escape prosecution. The victims and families strongly appeal to all investigating authorities NOT to jeopardise the criminal case by prematurely releasing their findings in the public domain as this can and will allow the perpetrators off the hook."
At this stage no-one has been charged, but George Herald has been informed that the police investigation into the deadly collapse is nearly complete.
George Councillor Chantelle Kyd of the Good party has been campaigning that the reports in the possession of George Municipality be tabled before Council, saying that the people of George and the families of the victims, deserve answers.
George Municipality has steadfastly refused to release the findings citing ongoing litigation and criminal investigations.
But Kyd maintained that the reluctance to release names or act decisively only deepens the perception that regulatory bodies and municipal officials are more interested in shielding one another than in protecting workers and the public.
Asked to respond to the victims' plea that the reports remain confidential for now, Kyd responded as follows: "The Good Party will reserve its comment on this issue. Thanks."
Herewith the full memorandum:
MEMORANDUM TO PARLIAMENT
How can Government assist victims of the George Building Collapse?
1. Presidency
We appeal to President Cyril Ramaphosa to fulfil his public promise of 16 May 2024 to provide interim financial and humanitarian support to the 62 victims and their families.
2. Public Works & Infrastructure
Despite visits by five cabinet ministers following the tragedy, only one - Dean Macpherson, National Minister of Public Works & Infrastructure - has reached out to the victims and families with much kindness and compassion. He addressed the commemoration on 6 May 2025 and met with families in George on 19 July to brief them privately on preliminary findings on the collapse.
3. Labour
Today, the families face secondary trauma as they are left to struggle on their own through a mountain of red tape trying to access workmen’s compensation. Since the disaster, only TWO victims have been partially assisted by the Dept of Labour.
According to leading labour specialist, George Kahn of Richard Spoor Inc, ALL workers who suffered injury or died on duty qualify for workmen’s compensation - legal or not.
We appeal to Parliament to instruct Labour to urgently fast-track compensation for each of the victims and not to drag their feet endlessly. We also request Parliament to pressurise the Dept of Labour to complete their Occupational Health and Safety investigation so as not to further delay the pursuit of justice.
4. Human Settlements
We appeal to the Minister of Human Settlements to instruct the National Homebuilders Registration Council (who publicly admitted to their dereliction of duty) to urgently provide interim compensation to each of the 62 families.
5. Social Development
Despite pledging psycho-social support to the traumatised victims and families, the Department of Social Development has not contacted all of them. We appeal to the Minister of Social Development to investigate the deep flaws in the system and to meet with the leaders to discuss more effective means of supporting the families.
6. Criminal investigation
The guilty parties will do everything in their might to escape prosecution. The victims and families strongly appeal to all investigating authorities NOT to jeopardise the criminal case by prematurely releasing their findings in the public domain as this can and will allow the perpetrators off the hook.
7. George Municipality
News that the owner plans to auction off the disaster site has been met with anger by the people of George. We appeal to the Municipality to use its leverage to pressurise the developer to transform this property of eternal sorrow into a memorial park.
The 62 victims and families of the George Building Collapse
Thembalethu, 20 November 2025
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