WATCH | George building collapse: Latest update confirms 12 deaths

Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, on Friday gave an update on the emergency response to the tragic building collapse in George.

Winde and numerous role players provided an update on the emergency response to the building collapse in Victoria Street on Monday.

Follow the update LIVE

Since the incident, more than 600 emergency and disaster management officials have been working tirelessly at the site.

“You are true heroes and we are immensely grateful for all you are doing in this very difficult time”, reiterated Winde on Friday.

The update took place from the Garden Route District Municipality office at 54 York Street in George.

It was broadcast live on Winde’s social media pages:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@premieralanwinde

Facebook: https://facebook.com/windealan

X: https://twitter.com/alanwinde

The building collapse has claimed the lives of at least 12 workers with as many as 41 still unaccounted for, four days later.

‘Cheap labour’

The reasons for the collapse, which occurred at around 14:00 on Monday, are still unknown.

Construction plans for a 42-unit apartment block had been approved by the city last July.

Police said they had been unable to reach the owner of the premises despite visiting the person’s business address.

“We then proceeded to issue a subpoena and up until today there has been no response,” said provincial chief inspector David Esau.

Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi declined to comment on speculation about whether most of the crew were foreign nationals.

“It’s not about foreign nationals… it is about human beings,” he told journalists as he visited the site.

The government was however to get in touch with the diplomatic missions of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi regarding the incident, he added.

It had also “raised concerns” about employers hiring “desperate” foreigners as “cheap labour”.

DO YOU WANT TO HELP? HERE IS HOW YOU CAN ASSIST

The public should note that the delivery point for donations has been relocated from 79 Victoria Street to the AGS Church Soteria at 27 Victoria Street.

George Municipality provided the following list as a guideline for sustenance donations for the emergency teams as the rescue effort at the site of the collapsed building in Victoria Street continues:

• drinking water
• energy drinks
• wine gums
• food

Gift of the Givers and Herman Pienaar of LoveGeorge are manning the delivery point and will keep it operational throughout the rescue period.

Please contact Gift of the Givers: Mario Ferreira (082 490 2752) and Herman Pienaar (082 829 6428) in this regard.

They are also in need of the following safety equipment:

• helmets
• safety goggles
• clipboards
• headlamps
• construction gloves

These must be delivered to GRDM Fire Station, Pearl Road, Tamsui, Industria.

ARE YOU ABLE TO MAKE A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION?

The municipality has also had requests from the public about financial donations.

Please use the banking details below:

• George Municipality: Relief and Charitable Fund
• ABSA BANK Cheque Acc: 9149554208
• Branch Code: 632005