GOOD Statement by Chantelle Kyd,
GOOD George Councillor and MMC for Planning and Development
05 April 2025
GOOD has taken note of recent media reports indicating that Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, presented the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) report on the George Building Collapse to the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements. This important development brings the community of George one step closer to finding the answers they have been desperately seeking.
The report reveals that, while the materials used in the construction were of good quality, the building’s structure was not designed to support the weight of the building. Officials at the NHBRC have been accused of failing to follow standard operating procedures. Notably, the report details how the five-story property development was originally registered with both the municipality and NHBRC as a single-story development. When the development was enrolled with the NHBRC, officials failed to interrogate the change of building size and the implications. The enrolment also took place almost 2 weeks after construction commenced.
Minister Simelane confirmed that the approval process at the NHBRC has since been amended in an effort to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. She also confirmed that the NHBRC officials involved, as well as the construction company, Liatel Developments, have been referred to the police for further criminal investigation.
As GOOD, we believe that the Minister should provide the full report to the George Municipality. Once tabled in council, we can interrogate its findings further. It is imperative that deviations in building plans are identified and addressed by the municipality. As the new MMC for Planning and Development, I commit to evaluating the municipal building development processes to determine whether there are any lapses or failures in our processes.
We hope the release of this report will give the families of the victims, as well as the survivors, some closure they deserve before the anniversary of this tragic event next month.
Media Enquiries: media@forgood.org.za