George building collapse: NHBRC officials accused of cutting corners in deadly incident

George building collapse: NHBRC officials accused of cutting corners in deadly incident! The collapse of a multi-storey building in George, Western Cape, in May last year, which claimed the lives of 34 people, has been linked to serious irregularities within the National Home Builders’ Registration Council (NHBRC). A recently released risk management report has revealed that NHBRC officials manipulated internal systems and failed to follow proper procedures in enrolling the development before construction began.

Improper Registration and Procedural Failures

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Nkadimeng presented the findings of the investigation to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements on Friday. She confirmed that NHBRC officials had not properly registered the ill-fated Victoria Street development before construction commenced, as legally required.

The independent investigation, commissioned by the NHBRC, uncovered a sequence of administrative failures. One of the most damning revelations was that construction was allowed to begin without the mandatory enrolment certificate, which ensures that the building complies with safety and regulatory standards.

George building collapse

A further violation occurred when the building’s registration reflected a single-storey structure, while in reality, the developer was erecting a multi-floor complex—a significant deviation that was neither flagged nor corrected by NHBRC officials.

Manipulation of Internal Systems

In a shocking revelation, the investigation found that one of the NHBRC officials used the login credentials of a colleague who was on leave to access the organization’s system and approve the enrolment. This act alone raises serious questions about fraud, accountability, and internal control failures within the NHBRC.

Minister Nkadimeng described a cascade of negligence and misconduct, stating,

“The finding is she failed to review all the necessary documentation which was submitted by Liatel, represented by Mr. Kruger, to ensure that all the sectional work, titling, and the enrolment were correct.”

Another official, responsible for recommending the application, ignored the missing paperwork and pushed the application through, exacerbating the systemic failure.

Disciplinary and Criminal Action Pending

At least three NHBRC officials are now facing disciplinary action, and two may face criminal charges stemming from their role in enabling the flawed approval process. The gravity of these actions reflects the broader implications for public safety and accountability in government-linked regulatory bodies.

But the fallout does not end there. NHBRC CEO Songezo Booi is also under fire for allegedly disregarding instructions from the NHBRC board to suspend the implicated officials during the investigation. Instead, Booi placed them on special leave, a move seen as undermining the integrity of the disciplinary process.

As a result, Booi has been suspended since last year, pending further internal investigation into his handling of the matter.

A Tragic Case of Negligence

The George building collapse shocked the nation, not just for the tragic loss of life but also because it highlighted systemic weaknesses in housing regulation and enforcement. Families of the 34 victims, many of whom were workers on the site, have been calling for justice and answers for months.

The NHBRC is a statutory body meant to protect the interests of housing consumers and ensure quality building standards. The findings of this investigation cast a long shadow over the council’s operations and raise concerns about how many other developments might have bypassed the proper regulatory checks.

Parliament Calls for Accountability

The revelations have prompted calls from Parliament for swift and decisive action. Lawmakers have stressed the need to restore public trust in the NHBRC and other regulatory bodies tasked with ensuring construction safety.

Minister Nkadimeng said her department would continue to monitor the disciplinary processes and ensure that any criminal proceedings are pursued diligently.

“We cannot allow such gross negligence to go unpunished. The lives lost in George must not be in vain,” she stated.

What Happens Next?

With the disciplinary process underway and the possibility of criminal charges looming, this case could serve as a defining moment for regulatory reform in the construction industry. The Department of Human Settlements is expected to review oversight mechanisms, while Parliament may push for legislative amendments to strengthen accountability.

As South Africans await justice for the victims of the George building collapse, the NHBRC faces a long road to rebuilding credibility—and ensuring that such a tragedy is never repeated.