Premier Alan Winde called on the various agencies to work together so that investigations can be consolidated and that they could get an “overall understanding of what transpired”. Picture: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers.
The George Municipality says ongoing support is being provided to 60 families and victims affected by the multi-storey building collapse, including the provision of wheelchairs and installation of ramps.
This comes as Premier Alan Winde and Infrastructure MEC Tertuis Simmers said they had on Wednesday received an update on the May building collapse which claimed the lives of 34 people. Sixty-two people were retrieved from the site.
The Western Cape government indicated that it would write to the SAPS, the Department of Employment and Labour, the national Department of Human Settlements, and the National Home Builders Registration Council requesting the status of their investigations.
Winde and Simmers called on the various agencies to work together so that investigations can be consolidated and that they could get an “overall understanding of what transpired”.
“The WCG has a clear timeline in which it wants its processes to be concluded so that concrete and decisive action can be taken. While we know that many people want answers, we must ensure that all the correct processes are followed and we will keep the public updated,” said Winde.
Winde and Simmers said the provincial government initiated the investigation just days after the incident in early May 2024 and appointed an independent structural engineering firm to conduct the probe.
George Municipality spokesperson Chantel Edwards-Klose said they were being supported by the Department of Social Development (DSD) with its support to 60 families made possible through funding and donations received.
“(We) received a comprehensive list of victims’ needs from the DSD. Based on predetermined criteria, George Municipality is, together with the appointed NGO, evaluating which of these needs can be met with the funds available (donations received specifically for the building collapse victims).
“Our primary focus will be on improving mobility for specific individuals as identified by DSD. This may include the provision of wheelchairs, the installation of ramps, and other necessary mobility aids, all within the limits of the available funds,” said Edwards-Klose.
DSD spokesperson Monique Mortlock-Malgas said a number of families had accepted the offer of trauma and bereavement counselling.
“Furthermore, social workers linked some families with other departments such as Home Affairs and Labour,” said Mortlock-Malgas.
Cape Times