The George building collapse has brought scrutiny to the various companies involved in its development, as rescue operations reach a critical fourth day.
George building collapse latest: Death toll increases on Friday, 10 May 2024
As rescue operations continue at 75 Victoria Street, the death toll has sadly risen to 12, with 33 individuals hospitalised and 13 still receiving medical care.
Of the 81 workers estimated to have been on-site at the time of the incident, 40 have been rescued, but 41 remain unaccounted for.
In a statement, the George Municipality confirmed the use of heavy demolition equipment has been initiated to safely access lower floors, with the rescue team working tirelessly under precarious conditions to ensure no further harm comes to those trapped.
“Disaster management would also like to advise that currently there are enough volunteers on-site with names captured on a waiting list. The volunteer and donation response from the George community has been overwhelming and is commended and appreciated.
“We ask that the public please does not respond to any requests for volunteers on social media unless such notice is formally issued by the GRDM JOC and/or George Municipality,” the statement read.
Companies linked to George building collapse
The development of the collapsed building involved several entities, each responsible for different aspects of the project:
- Neo Victoria Developments Pty Ltd. – They owned the land where the building was constructed. This means they provided the space for the building to be built.
- Neotrend Developments Pty Ltd & East Africa Development Pty Ltd. – These companies managed the entire building project. They organised everything from planning what the building would look like to deciding when and how the building process would happen.
- Liatel Developments Pty Ltd. – As the main contractor, this company was in charge of the actual construction work. They directed the day-to-day building activities, hiring workers, and making sure construction went according to plan.
- Mitchell & Associates – They worked as the structural and civil engineers and also as the principal agent. As engineers, they focused on making sure the building was designed to be strong and stable. As the principal agent, they were the main communicator between the construction team and the project owners, overseeing all details of the project’s progress.
- Deon van der Westhuizen Architects cc – This firm was responsible for designing the building. They created the plans that showed how the building should look and function once finished.
- Matla Quantity Surveyors Pty Ltd. – This company handled the financial side of the construction. They measured and kept track of all materials and labour used to build the building to make sure everything stayed within budget.
- 4Front Safety and Security Consultants Pty Ltd. – Their job was to oversee health and safety on the construction site. They made sure that all safety rules were followed to protect workers from accidents.
- Clinkscales Maughan-Brown Pty Ltd. – They were the electrical engineers. Their role was to plan and oversee all the electrical installations in the building, ensuring that the wiring and electrical systems were safe and functional.
- Duane Hodges Consulting Engineer – Specialised in fire engineering, this engineer ensured that the building had proper fire safety measures, such as fire alarms, sprinklers, and safe evacuation routes.
Neo Victoria Developments distances itself from tragedy
Neo Victoria Developments has issued a statement clarifying that Ice Projects Pty Ltd, previously mentioned in some reports, was not involved in the development.
“This party is not involved in any capacity in the development,” the company reiterated.
The company expressed its condolences for the loss of life and injuries, praising the rescue teams for their efforts and committing to full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
“We mourn the loss of life, the injuries suffered, and the bereavement of the loved ones and families affected. We are deeply moved by the actions of the rescue teams and authorities,” the statement read.
What role did Liatel Developments play in George building collapse?
Liatel Developments, under the leadership of Theuns Kruger, a seasoned attorney and developer, was the main contractor responsible for the construction of the building.
The company, known for managing both legal and administrative aspects of property development, is now under intense scrutiny as questions arise about its role and responsibility in the structural integrity and safety standards of the collapsed building.
The ongoing independent probe, supported by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and involving specialist engineers, aims to uncover the specifics of what led to this catastrophic incident.
