Victoria Street Building Collapse: Two Years Later, Accountability Cannot Wait

GOOD Statement by Chantelle Kyd, GOOD George Municipality Councillor:

Tomorrow marks two years since the tragic collapse of the building in Victoria Street, George.

Lives were lost.

While time has passed, the impact of that day is still deeply felt across the community. It remains a stark reminder of how quickly lives can change, and how critical it is to ensure accountability when systems fail.

Many of those affected come from vulnerable communities, where the consequences of such a tragedy are carried far beyond the immediate loss. In these moments, the responsibility on the government to act with urgency, care and integrity becomes even greater.

This tragedy took place within a system of oversight across local, provincial and national government. It is within this shared responsibility that accountability must ultimately be found.

The GOOD party notes that the South African Police Service completed its investigation at the beginning of February 2026 and handed the docket over to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for a decision on prosecution.

Since then, there have been no arrests and limited public communication on the way forward.

In the days following the collapse, senior leaders and Ministers, and even the President, Cyril Ramaphosa, visited the site and gave assurances that there would be accountability and that those affected would not be left behind. Two years later, it is both fair and necessary to ask what has been done to honour those commitments.

Two years on, it is reasonable to expect clearer answers and visible progress. Matters of this nature require not only thorough investigation but also transparency to maintain public confidence.

We respectfully call on the NPA to clarify the current status of the matter and the next steps. We further call on Ministers and all those in positions of leadership who made public commitments in the aftermath of this tragedy to account, openly and honestly, for the progress made.

As this anniversary is marked, we remember those who lost their lives and acknowledge the broader impact this tragedy has had on the George community.

Accountability delayed only deepens the loss.

GOOD Manifesto on Public Accountability: Calling for accountability from elected officials and public servants.

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