NATIONAL NEWS - The structural engineering findings from the independent investigation commissioned by the Western Cape Government into the 6 May 2024 George building collapse, will not be made public.

Today, 30 January, Premier Alan Winde officially handed over the report to Western Cape Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile and Captain Johan de Lange, SAPS lead investigator into the matter.

He said it is entirely possible that criminal proceedings may ensue. "It is for this reason that the findings of the independent probe cannot be made public, so that we do not in any way compromise the SAPS investigation and further possible proceedings."

Thirty-four people died and many others were injured when the building, still under construction, collapsed and buried most of the workers under the rubble.

Twenty-eight people were rescued alive but many suffered severe, lifechanging injuries.

In a statement issued today by the office of the premier, Winde said 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.

"It is the full, final report of this firm, which was peer-reviewed, to ensure its integrity, that has now been handed over to SAPS," Winde stated.

Read the full article here on our sister publication, George Herald

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