George building collapse: ECSA to meet in July to finalise probe into structural engineer

Source: EWN Traffic
Author: Ntuthuzelo Nene

CAPE TOWN - The Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) says it will meet next month to finalise its investigation into the conduct of the structural engineer appointed to oversee construction work at the collapsed George building.

Thity-four people died when the partially constructed five-storey apartment building caved in more than a month ago.

Sixty-two people were on site when the tragic incident happened.

A probe by the council has led to the precautionary suspension of Athol Mitchell, who was the engineer responsible for the George project.

Mitchell's precautionary suspension will remain in place until a decision is made regarding potential charges against him.

Council CEO Dr Bridget Ssamula said Mitchell could not create or sign-off on any building designs without supervision from a registered structural engineer.

"And that registered person will then oversee it and take responsibility for it. So, it's almost reverting back as though you were never registered, and that is a precautionary measure, that's why we are calling it precautionary."

She said that their investigation would include all the buildings that Mitchell and his firm had been contracted to work on.

Ssamula added that they could not be sure that the right precautions were taken, and that the structural integrity of those buildings was taken into consideration.