South Africa: Rescue efforts end at collapsed building

South Africa has announced an end to rescue efforts at the site of a building collapse in George.

At least 33 construction workers died from the disaster with 19 people still unaccounted for when the five-storey luxury apartment building collapsed on May 6.

29 survivors were pulled from the debris though and most of them receiving medical treatment.

The rescue operation saw more than 6,000 tons of rubble removed while rescue workers.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, toured the site on Thursday and pledged compensation for the victims.

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The building will now be handed over to investigators to establish the cause of the accident. Ramaphosa promised accountability once the investigation is concluded.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala has acknowledged the government’s limited knowledge regarding the main contractor responsible for the collapsed structure.

This absence of information is legally permissible, as the company is not mandated to register with the Construction Industry Development Board when working for private clients.

However, Minister Zikalala highlights the need for regulatory improvements, citing the CIDB Amendment Bill as a measure to enhance compliance and enforcement within the construction sector.

Concurrently, the South African Council for the Projects and Construction Management Professions is diligently investigating whether the contractors involved in the project were duly registered, underscoring the importance of accountability and adherence to industry standards during such tragic incidents.

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Source: Africafeeds.com