George building collapse: Minister refuses to release report to protect criminal investigation
Minister Dean MacPherson will not release the Victoria Street building collapse report to safeguard the criminal investigation and honour the victims’ families’ wishes.
In a media briefing yesterday, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean MacPherson reiterated that he would not be releasing the Council for the Built Environment’s (CBE) report on the Victoria Street building collapse.
According to George Herald, he said the primary objective of his decision is to ensure criminal culpability for those involved in the tragedy. “This approach has been supported by the families through a memorandum that was handed to Parliament last month, and which I will honour in the pursuit of justice,” said MacPherson.
The families handed the memorandum to the Public Works and Infrastructure Portfolio Committee at the Thembalethu Community Hall on November 20. Some points they submitted concerned the criminal investigation, which stated: “The guilty parties will do everything in their might to escape prosecution. The victims and families strongly appeal to all investigating authorities NOT to jeopardise the criminal case by prematurely releasing their findings in the public domain as this can and will allow the perpetrators off the hook.”
Briefing families on the report
MacPherson came to George in July to brief the surviving victims and families on the findings of the CBE report. He said it was a deeply difficult engagement but necessary for them as part of their healing journey.
Prioritise rule of law above political expediency
“After careful consultation with the SAPS and the NPA, as well as with the families, I agreed that the investigative report should not be released publicly at this stage, so as not to jeopardise the ongoing criminal processes.
“It is unfortunate that several interest groups remain opposed to this at the expense of justice and the views of the victims and families. We must always prioritise the rule of law above political expediency.”
MacPherson said the department is working closely with the police to support a thorough and speedy investigation. “We are united in ensuring that those responsible are held fully accountable and that the families receive the justice they deserve.”
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