George Municipality says it's struggling to recover money from developer involved in building collapse

CAPE TOWN - The George Municipality said it was struggling to recover money owed to it by the company in charge of the land and the development of the collapsed five-storey building in the town last year.

Tuesday marks a year since 34 people were killed and 28 others injured when the 42-unit block of flats being built caved in.

The main developer of the multi-storey apartment block is Neo Victoria Developments.

It later came to light that it had contracted another company, Liatel Developments, that built a structure which was not designed to support the weight of the building.

George municipal manager, Godfrey Louw, told the Western Cape portfolio committee on infrastructure that the municipality spent more than R9 million during the 11-day rescue and recovery operation.

Louw said it's been a tedious process trying to recoup their money.

"The committee might not know, but this Neo Victoria company has been liquidated in December last year. So now we are sitting with a shell company, and obviously the municipality needs to recover its costs."

He said they've sought legal advice on the matter.