George building developer breaks silence: 'Buildings are not built with the purpose to collapse'

Tags

---

10-05-2024
Read : 2396 times
News 24
Source

• Neo Victoria Developments said it would cooperate with the authorities. 
• The company is the property developer of the George building that collapsed on Monday afternoon. 
• Eight people have died, and 44 are still stuck under the rubble. 

Property developer group Neo Victoria Developments [PTY] Ltd, which was contracted to build the five-storey apartment building that collapsed in Victoria Street, George, on Monday, said the deadly incident was "unfortunate", but it would be cooperating with the authorities during the investigation.

Of the 37 people retrieved from the rubble, eight are dead.

According to authorities, there are still 44 people stuck under the heavy rubble. 

In a statement sent to News24 on Thursday afternoon, the developer said they were informed early Monday afternoon of the "horrific" event that occurred.  

"The news of the most unfortunate event reached not only the community but worldwide and the development team with total disbelief and utmost shock," said the developer. 

"This new building, almost at a stage of completion, was the workplace for many construction workers, many of whom got trapped in the implosion.

"The safety and rescue of workers are the main concern and priority. It was clear that nothing said and done afterwards could undo the tragic disaster."

According to the company, the quick response of the rescue work was a priority, and, at the same time, it was imperative to come to know and understand what the cause of the disaster was.

"Information had to be gathered as quickly as possible. This had to be done to allow maximum accessibility for emergency and recovery personnel to undertake the rescue work," it said. 

The developer said it noted that the information of the development had become the subject of many questions and, in some instances, also speculation.

"The disastrous event was first reported to the relevant authorities. The development contractor who employed the construction teams and workers started to determine the status of people on site and affected by the collapse," said the company. 

The company detailed who was involved in the construction of the now-collapsed building:

• Owner of the land: Neo Victoria Developments Pty Ltd;
• Development coordination and management: Neotrend Developments Pty Ltd & East Africa Development Pty Ltd;
• The development contractor in control of the construction and building site: Liatel Developments Pty Ltd;
• Structural and Civil Engineer: Mitchell & Associates;
• Project Architect: Deon van der Westhuizen Architects cc;
• Principal Agent: Mitchell & Associates;
• Quantity Surveyor: Matla Quantity Surveyors Pty Ltd;
• Health & Safety Officer: 4Front Safety and Security Consultants Pty Ltd;
• Electrical Engineer: Clinkscales Maughan-Brown Pty Ltd; and
• Fire Engineer: Duane Hodges Consulting Engineer.

"In as far as [some of] the media referred to Ice Projects Pty Ltd being involved in the development, it must be noted that is factually incorrect. 

"This party is not involved in any capacity in the development," said Neo Victoria Developments [PTY] Ltd. 

It said that, as owners and developers, they were more than "shocked and horrified" by the catastrophe.

"Buildings are not built with the purpose to collapse. The project team of specialists are appointed to execute the planning, design and management of [the] construction process and quality of work.

"As landowners and developers, we have committed to work with the investigating teams to analyse and evaluate whatever is needed as soon as practically possible,"  said the company. 

According to the building owner, their priority remains to attend to the victims of the disaster.

"Our sincere appreciation goes to the official George Municipality and community of George, who [have] undertak[en] and assisted with this very tragic event. This event will impact many lives for years to come.

"We cannot stop praying for the best possible outcome - even though we cannot predict or pre-empt what is to come. The development team [is] fully committed and supportive of the investigations," said the developer. 

ROLLING COVERAGE | More than 3 000 tonnes of concrete stand between rescuers and 44 workers trapped underneath

The company said it would be working alongside authorities to determine the cause of the tragedy and undertake to cooperate fully with all authorities.

"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 company said.

It added that it committed to providing support where the company could, and to contribute and cooperate with the authorities in control of the operation and any process in the investigation.

The Department of Employment and Labour said on Thursday it would explore its legal options to compel the developer of the construction site that collapsed to engage with it.

The department's provincial chief inspector, David Esau, said they had been trying to contact Morgan-Wilson Construction and the developers, NeoTrend, to no avail. 

"The day we arrived, we tried to contact the client. We went to the address on our system, and it was locked. We then proceeded to issue a subpoena. And, up until today, there has been no response from that particular person," he said. 

Esau added that they would proceed with legal action.