Johnathan Paoli
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to visit the George disaster site on Thursday, where a residential building under construction collapsed a week ago trapping the workers underneath the rubble and resulting in the tragic deaths of 33 people while scores are still missing.
The Presidency said in a statement that since the fatal incident on Monday last week, government and disaster management agencies at all levels have mobilised personnel and resources towards the rescue efforts and provided support to the survivors and the families of the deceased.
“President Ramaphosa remains deeply attentive to the rescue and recovery efforts underway and has expressed his deep condolences to the family and friends of the deceased workers,” Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said.
Several government officials and ministers have been visiting the site since the tragic incident including Police, Health, Public Works and Employment and Labour ministries.
Magwenya said the national departments have been working with the Disaster Joint Operations Centre, with the Western Cape Provincial Government and with the Garden Route District Municipality in rescue operations and assisting the survivors.
Ramaphosa is expected to visit the Disaster Joint Operations center, meet with the families, and conclude his trip to the George Municipal Civic Centre Hall to make an address.
Currently 62 people have been recovered, 12 have been hospitalised and 19 are still unaccounted for.
The tragedy has so far claimed 33 lives – 27 men and six women.
The owner of the building contractor Liatel Developments, Theuns Kruger, has issued a statement in which he said the company was cooperating with the authorities and that outstanding questions surrounding the tragic loss of life will be answered in the coming days and weeks.
“Liatel makes the unwavering commitment to cooperate with the authorities that are conducting the crucial investigation into this disaster and also, and vitally so, will reach out to all victims and the families of all victims when the time to do so arrives,” Kruger said in a statement.
The local municipality has confirmed that 11 of the 18 deceased so far identified were foreign nationals, with five coming from Malawi, three from Zimbabwe, two from Mozambique and one from Lesotho.
Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Alvin Botes said the government was currently engaged in repatriation efforts in order to get the deceased back to their families.
“We have been engaging with mission representatives of Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Of course, the key matter that concerns us is the repatriation process back to their countries of origin,” Botes said.
The George Municipality said it is grateful for the overwhelming support shown through food donations for families impacted by the tragedy, but said the donations received exceeded the immediate needs of the affected families.
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