Rescue workers continue their search and rescue efforts at the Neo Victoria apartment building in Victoria Street on May 07, 2024 in George, South Africa. It is reported that the four-storey block of flats under construction collapsed with 75 workers on site. (Photo by Gallo Images/Die Burger/Jaco Marais) 
The George building collapse is an indictment of municipal officials, the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC), the developer and others who have been implicated, including those who ignored norms and standards.
The question now is just how many other projects have those who face criminal charges been involved in, and what is the quality of that work?
Can those homeowners who take out expensive bonds for these “luxury” projects before completion rely on the relevant authorities and bodies to ensure they are not spending money on a dangerous dud.
The construction industry in this country is a significant economic driver, valued at around $25.5-billion (about R5-billion) and employing more than 1.2 million people.
It is an industry that has, for some decades, been plagued by greed, corruption and criminality, and considering the industry’s considerable contribution to the country’s GDP, it must be vigorously policed.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has yet to release a forensic report commissioned by the province. A report made public last week by Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, contained damning findings.
Read more: George building collapse deaths weren’t ‘in vain’ as probe reveals shortcomings — Simelane
Council report
According to the NHBRC report, officials failed to undertake a proper technical assessment of the 75 Victoria development in George to ensure the contractor could manage the expanded scope of the project. (Photo: Jaco Marais / Die Burger / Gallo Images)
The NHBRC report indicated that the building was originally registered with the council as a single-storey development. However, at the stage of enrolling the project with the NHBRC, the development had been altered to a multi-storey building.
According to Simelane, officials at the NHBRC failed to undertake a proper technical assessment to ensure the contractor could manage the expanded scope of the project.
Several NHBRC officials implicated in the report have been suspended and Simelane said they will be held to account.
Charges that will be brought include dereliction of duty, misconduct, negligence, dishonesty and misrepresentation in official inspection reports.
A crack South African Police Service team has been investigating the tragedy and is in the process of completing its submission to the National Prosecuting Authority. It is only a matter of time before what will be one of the most revelatory and sensational criminal trials begins in the High Court.
As Simelane said, the deaths of those trapped in the rubble will not be in vain, but it came at a great cost to those families left behind.
Hopefully the new Housing Consumer Protection Act, signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa last year, will be applied and that the changes to the legislative framework for the home-building industry will be enforced.
The new law emphasises the professionalisation of inspectors and requires the council to establish and maintain a register of home-builders and developers. DM