GOOD Statement by Chantelle Kyd,
GOOD George Councillor
17 July 2025
We welcome the announcement that Minister Dean Macpherson will be meeting with the families of the victims of the George building collapse. These families deserve the truth, accountability, and ultimately, closure. It is a necessary and humane step forward.
But we also reiterate our urgent call for the Council for the Built Environment report to be submitted to the Speaker of the George Council and tabled before Council without further delay. This is not a matter of courtesy, it is a matter of governance. Any failure in the built environment that leads to the loss of 34 lives cannot pass without consequence. The planning department must be held accountable where appropriate, and the municipality must be given the opportunity to take corrective action to ensure such a tragedy never happens again.
By withholding the report from the municipality, whilst holding media briefings, the national government is denying George the institutional respect it deserves, and denying the residents the assurance that their local government can respond transparently and decisively.
We ask the Minister to match his compassion for the victims’ families with a commitment to empower the municipality to act on behalf of all the people of George.
Media Enquiries: media@forgood.org.za