The Neo Victoria apartment block in George, which was under construction by Liatel Developments, tragically collapsed earlier this week, resulting in numerous casualties and prompting immediate rescue efforts.
Who owns Liatel Developments?
Liatel Developments, the contractor involved in the construction of the collapsed Neo Victoria apartment block in George, is owned by Theuns Kruger.
Kruger, a practising attorney with over 14 years of experience in commercial and construction law, founded Liatel Developments in 2009.
The company was created to provide consultancy and assistance in property and commercial developments, handling various legal, administrative, and financial aspects of construction projects.
Under Kruger’s leadership, Liatel has also ventured into property acquisition, such as purchasing a promising property in Mossel Bay in 2010, aiming to expand its footprint in the real estate development sector.
How Liatel Developments reacted to George building collapse
In the wake of the disaster, Kruger has publicly stated that Liatel Developments is dedicated to supporting the ongoing rescue efforts and cooperating fully with the authorities to investigate the cause of the collapse.
Kruger expressed gratitude towards the emergency services for their prompt response and praised the bravery of those involved in the rescue operations.
He reiterated the company’s commitment to transparency and thorough investigation to understand the factors leading to the tragic event.
“We are co-ordinating closely with emergency responders and authorities to provide support and resources for the rescue operations. We are fully committed to co-operating with the authorities to determine the cause of this incident. We will ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted to understand what led to the collapse,” he said.
Kruger also conveyed his deep condolences to the victims and their families, emphasising the company’s resolve to assist and support the community during this challenging period.
George building collapse latest updates on Wednesday, 8 May 2024
As rescue operations continue on Wednesday, Premier Alan Winde reported that teams are tirelessly working to rescue the remaining 39 individuals trapped in the debris.
The focus remains on a sensitive and hopeful approach, with moments of silence at the site to possibly locate survivors.
“I cannot express the emotions I felt yesterday when the site would suddenly go completely quiet in the hope that our teams might be close to locating another survivor,” he said.
George Mayor Leon van Wyk disclosed that the developer, NT Neotrend Group, and the development name, Ice Projects, were responsible for submitting the building plans, which were approved in July 2023.
The structure, consisting of a basement parking and four floors with 42 flats, is currently under scrutiny.
According to reports, an independent structural engineer from V3 Engineers has been appointed to conduct a detailed investigation into the collapse, working alongside emergency personnel to determine the root cause and ensure such a tragedy does not reoccur.
