Source: Gauteng Provincial Government
Title: Shilowa: Report on Women's Day stage collapse
STATEMENT BY GAUTENG PREMIER MBHAZIMA SHILOWA ON THE AUGUST 9 STAGE COLLAPSE REPORT
The Gauteng Provincial Government welcomes the report on the investigations into the collapse of the structure over the stage that was used during the Women's Day event on 9 August 2003 at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
We note and support the Department of Labour's decision to refer the report on the investigations to the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration and possible further investigation and prosecution.
We also note the findings and recommendations of the investigators as contained in the report. The Department of Labour, which conducted the investigations with the assistance of the CSIR, has not made any specific recommendations directed at the Gauteng Provincial Government. The report does not therefore direct us to take any specific action resulting from the investigation.
I will nevertheless ask the Director-General in the Office of the Premier to interact with the Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture and the City of Tshwane on the outcome of the investigation, which indicates that no completion certificate was issued and that an engineer was not appointed. The aim will be to establish within whose realm this lay and what should be done in this regard.
The report underlines the need for tight and strict procedures to be followed when staging public events.
As the Gauteng Provincial Government, we wish to reiterate the statement we made soon after the incident, that we will do everything in our power to prevent a future occurrence of such incidents. We have tightened up internal procedures, including legal and technical requirements for the procurement of services for public events. All Gauteng Provincial Government departments will strictly comply with the set of procedures when organising public events.
I wish to express our thanks and appreciation to Minister Mdladlana and the Department of Labour for the work they did to establish what caused the collapse of the structure over the stage.
I also take this opportunity to thank all the people who provided support and care for Suraya Scott, who was injured when the stage collapsed. Your thoughts have helped her through her difficult times.
For more information contact Thabo Masebe on 082 410 8087
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
6 November 2003
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