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Western Cape premier, Alan Winde, said that the structural engineering findings into the building collapse in George last May, will not be made public yet, as the police probe into the tragedy continues.
On Thursday, Winde handed over the report, commissioned by the Western Cape government, to the provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile and Captain Johan de Lange, the lead investigator in the case.
The building, which was still under construction when it collapsed, resulting in the death of 34 people, while 28 people were rescued alive in a multi-stakeholder disaster operation.
“At the time the Western Cape Government understood that the event would have repercussions for human lives and livelihoods, and that an investigation into its cause would be essential.
“And so, at the same time that the multi-stakeholder operation was underway, the WCG secured the services of an independent structural engineering firm to conduct an investigation of the collapse site, simultaneous to the rescue operation,” Winde said in a statement.
He said the full and final structural engineering report, which was peer-reviewed to ensure its integrity, has now been handed over to SAPS.
“The report is now in the domain of the SAPS which must consider both the findings of this independent report and all other evidence in their possession as part of the overall criminal investigation to determine if charges are to be brought.
“The technical findings in the report are of such a nature that the Western Cape Government believes they will significantly assist the SAPS investigation.
“Given the nature of the incident and the fact that 34 people tragically lost their lives, it is entirely possible that criminal proceedings may ensue,” Winde said.
