Phuti Mosomane
THE number of people pulled from the collapsed building in George, Western Cape has increased to 36 with 39 individuals still to be rescued as of Wednesday morning – raising questions of compliance.
Now political party ActionSA believes the construction contractors owe South Africans answers and vowed to monitor progress to ensure accountability and justice for the victims of the incident.
The building collapsed on Monday afternoon claiming seven lives. Officials said that 75 members of the construction crew were on site at the time of the incident.
ActionSA Western Cape Premier candidate Angela Sobey said while the party acknowledged the sensitivity of the matter, the tragedy has raised numerous questions surrounding the circumstances, particularly concerning compliance that led to its cave in.
“ActionSA calls for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances. Reports indicate that there are critical questions related to the contractors’ compliance and registration with relevant regulatory bodies, as well as the legal status of the contracted workers, including building permits and on-site safety management, that must be urgently addressed,” she said.
Meanwhile rescue operations on the Victoria Street site continued on Wednesday involving a multi-disciplinary team of more than 200 emergency services staff from across the province, according to Premier Alan Winde.
“Our rescue teams on the ground are working tirelessly to rescue the remaining 39 individuals. I cannot express the emotions I felt yesterday [on Tuesday] when the site would suddenly go completely quiet in the hope that our teams might be close to locating another survivor,” said Winde.
“From the first responders who have been working since Monday afternoon to save the lives of the trapped construction workers, to residents who have turned out in their numbers to offer help in any way that they can. You make me humble and grateful, as your Premier of this extraordinary province, for everything you have done and are still doing,” he said after touring the site.
He added that while arduous few days still lay ahead as search and rescue efforts continue, the heart and soul of volunteers and NGOs who have shown support to the affected families of the affected construction workers has been extraordinary.
Meanwhile George Municipality mayor, Leon van Wyk has disclosed the name of the developer responsible for building the five-storey after public criticism that the provincial government was hiding their identity.
“The company is Neo Trend Group, ICE Projects” he said. Plans were submitted on 22 December 2022 and were approved in July 2023.
Trade union Cosatu in the Western Cape has called on law enforcement agencies and other
authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident to ensure that justice is served.
The Workers federation appealed to the owners of Neo Trend Group, ICE Projects to look after the families of the deceased and injured construction workers.
“We will be engaging with the Department of Employment and Labour and the Compensation Fund for Occupational Injuries and Diseases to ensure that relief is provided to these workers and their families as required by law,” Cosatu said in a statement on Tuesday.
Cosatu demanded the owners and management of the construction company be held liable for the deaths, injuries and loss of earnings of the workers.
“The employers must be held responsible for any negligence and criminal conduct that has resulted in this horrific tragedy. Workers sell their labour and not their lives. They should not be treated like glorified slaves by greedy employers,” the union said in a statement.
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