Reports indicate that the death toll from the George building collapse in South Africa has risen to 32, following the recovery of 8 additional victims on Tuesday.
Presently, 20 individuals remain unaccounted for, while 13 others are receiving treatment in hospitals. The cause of the collapse, which occurred a week ago, remains undetermined. Rescue operations have intensified, and authorities in the Western Cape have initiated investigations into the incident.
Sihle Zikalala, the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, has acknowledged the government’s limited information regarding the principal contractor responsible for the building’s collapse. This lack of information is deemed legally unacceptable, as the company is obliged to register with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) when undertaking projects for private clients.
However, Minister Zikalala has stressed the imperative for regulatory enhancements, citing the CIDB Amendment Bill as a mechanism to bolster compliance and enforcement within the construction sector.
The South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions is conducting an inquiry to ascertain whether the contractors engaged in the project were appropriately registered. This emphasises the importance of accountability and adherence to industry standards in the wake of such tragic events.