Building tragedy toll rises

Fingerprints, DNA testing and facial recognition will be used to identify victims

THE owner and developer of the fivestorey building that collapsed in George, claiming the lives of at least 14 people as of last night, said they would fully co-operate with the investigation into the cause of the tragedy.

“As owners and developers, we are more than shocked and horrified with this catastrophe,” said Neo Victoria Developments in a statement released yesterday. “Buildings are not built with the purpose to collapse.

“The project team of specialists are appointed to execute the planning, design, and manage construction process and quality of work. As landowners and developers, we have committed to work with the investigating teams to analyse and evaluate whatever is needed as soon as practically possible.”

The Victoria Street block, which was to have included a rooftop deck and underground parking, collapsed on Monday with construction workers, cleaners and painters on site.

Forty people have been recovered from the wreckage, with 14 of those declared dead; 39 people are still unaccounted for.

Moses Malala, a 35-year-old site supervisor and subcontractor from Bossover Construction, was on the top floor and survived.

“A big sound came from the basement. I went to check and I saw the dust coming up. One second I saw the slab was cracking and going down,” he said.

He escaped with minor injuries to his knee and foot, but said some of his colleagues were still trapped.

The 42-apartment building, with an estimated value of R39.5 million, was near completion when it collapsed, up to and including the concrete roof. Workers were still busy with service installations.

More than 90 hours after the collapse, rescue personnel were still searching for some of the people trapped under the rubble.

Heavy equipment and machinery have been brought in to remove the more than 3 000 tons of concrete.

Instability at the site remains a threat to the safety of emergency personnel trying to rescue as many trapped workers as possible.

Identifying victims, either dead or alive, would involve fingerprinting, DNA testing and photographs.

At a press conference in George yesterday, Dr Wayne Smith, from the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, together with Premier Alan Winde and Provincial Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile, said DNA testing and fingerprinting were part of the process of identification.

The team did not specify how many were yet to be identified, but said where fingers were intact, fingerprinting would be possible and that facial recognition would involve using photographs. Interpreters would assist with any language barriers.

DNA testing would be used where family members would be involved.

The Western Cape Government said earlier this week that three independent engineers had been assigned to assess the site.

The George Municipality said yesterday that the building plans had been approved on July 6 last year, and issued to the applicant, project architect Deon van der Westhuizen Architects.

According to the municipality, these plans were only approved once the Building Control Officer was satisfied all requirements had been met.

Van der Westhuizen declined to comment on his involvement in the project. “We are not going to give any comment to the media at this time. I’m asking you with comprehension to respect our decision,” he said.

Liatel Developments, the development contractor responsible for the construction on the site, said they were fully committed to co-operating with the authorities to determine the cause of this incident.

“We will ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted to understand what led to the collapse.

“We will continue to offer our assistance and support to the community in this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their loved ones, and all those affected by this tragic event,” Liatel said.

Mitchell & Associates are mentioned as the structural and civil engineers, as well as the principal agent.

Quantity surveyor Matla Quantity Surveyors Pty Ltd said a “manager would only be able to respond by Monday”.

The George Municipality said it had no record of previous safety violations by the developer within the Garden Route area.

“The normal practice is that the owner and developer, together with their professional team, will have weekly/bi-weekly or monthly meetings and inspections where progress reports are submitted to the owner/client.”

National Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla, Provincial Health MEC Dr Nomafrench Mbombo and senior officials visited victims at George hospitals yesterday.

Meanwhile, five people died and more than a dozen were injured in Ngcobo, in the Eastern Cape, yesterday when a shop wall collapsed.

Health ministry spokesperson Mkhululi Ndamase said 14 people were hospitalised.