George Building Collapse | Embassies to assist with translations as rescue efforts continue

Health Minister Joe Phaahla is next to visit the site of the building collapse in George. Today's inspection comes after his Labour counterpart Thulas Nxesi was there.
Meanwhile, the relatives of the workers who have been affected by the disaster say they need more clarity about their loved ones.
Some say they have not been informed whether they are still trapped, deceased or in hospital.
The number of those who were on site during the collapse on Monday has been revised up from 75 to 81, with 44 people still unaccounted for and nine confirmed deceased.
For the latest news on the ongoing rescue operation we cross live to SABC News reporter Vanessa Poonah.
For more news, visit sabcnews.com and #SABCNews on all Social Media platforms.

[@estellevanderwesthuizen5037]

People must stop fighting with rescue workers and realize that they are here to work at a site that was not suppose to happen in the first place.

[@lunelleoliver2437]

How were the developers approved by DA municipality? Bribery?

[@Cent51]

Plans were submitted and approved.. You must be so careful of talking shyit. Your anc run council are 10000 corrupt.. sit down before throwing stones..

[@user-hn3ve5bu4o]

Viva DA

[@SPOK-zz5lj]

Just following the ANC and EFF

[@walter.zikalala]

There seems to be more foreigners employed on this site than South Africans. Worse still, some of these foreigners don't seem have work permits but passports. Why is that, when there are so many unemployed citizens of the land?

[@thembandlovu7594]

most builders in south africa are built by them thats why \

[@walter.zikalala]

@@thembandlovu7594 and your point is what?

[@MuNky1022]

Ask your national ANC government about the leaky borders

[@walter.zikalala]

@MuNky1022 you deleted my response you nincompoop, you cannot handle the heat? Get out of the kitchen and bask in your own poison!

[@hanliespence9625]

So sad 😔. My prayers goiing out to each and everybody affected by this disaster🙏

[@jeanoliver3573]

Amen thank you to the Embassy ❤

[@godfreyberry1599]

Great interview SABC.

[@willmakaplan]

Great interviewer

[@jeanoliver3573]

Miracles happen we need to be patient the rescue team is working around the clock we all need to pray 🙏

[@jeannettelewies8027]

Very sad what happened to those workers let us pray for the family 🙏🙏

[@rosemaryowen1298]

Its not about colour its human beings who went to work

[@faridaally6184]

Its actually illegals who stole our jobs

[@shanaazcloete8531]

Its mainly about EMPLOYER Greed that puts human lives at risk. if not workers but South Africans moving into these buildings. they could have been your family. All buildings these companies built needs to be inspected because down the line who knows if residents will be awaken by the building collapsing on them. All construction sites needs to be checked that health and safety standards are adhered to and the workforce are legal and qualified. An example needs to be made of these companies, so others can be deterred. We keep blaming ANC for crime , but it seems everyone is quite comfortable in SA to break the law daily.

[@ravi184]

It is so sad that people are struck under the building. I hope all the people are safe

[@user-hr7to5jr1k]

No the only time when occupation circificates are issued is when the building inspector receives all certificates of compliance on completion of work then only will the inspector issue an occupation certificate

[@rickcoldstream3713]

Latest media conference makes out developers found and only now divulge how many people approximately were on each level? Why so late????

[@user-hr7to5jr1k]

It happened a few years back in stellenbosch when a deck fell on workers the investigation proved the contractor was not at fault but the hiring company that sent the wrong props it was to weak to hold up the concrete deck.

[@teresagillmer9464]

Its not about colour its about safety.The rescuers and if anyone is still alive.I can understand their frustration but thats the protocol..Its. Sad 😢

[@shopekassie]

Who interpreted for them during working hours? No wonder it collapsed; they did not understand each other.

[@DumaM-ir7rk]

Thank you 😂. I really don’t care to talk sense to illegal immigrants and their governments is happy that they have less mouth to feed

[@VinceLehata]

Tower of Babel story - I was also frustrated by the pace of the rescue workers, but I had to understand that I cannot blame them as they are here to help. Its the unfolding (or folding) of the building that caused the tragedy. There is a case here. There is indication that sub-standard materials were used or other words can say that there is a spectrum of questions regarding quality of infrastructure used here.

[@mmjkk]

Are you… blaming the workers for their predicament? The people charged with safety and quality control are the developers!

[@ChristopherSmith-yp7sy]

You are a very stupid person, you clearly dont know what to say and dont know anything about construction, the strength of the building is designed by an engineer you stupid

[@Cent51]

You dense hey, this family and friends, the guys who worked on site are still trapped, in hospital or dead.. Try not to be slow on the uptake..

[@yoliswambebe619]

Suddenly, translation challenge, lack of documentation is the problem, if there were no correct docs needed, everybody would be understanding what is being said, ppl fear deportation.

[@DumaM-ir7rk]

@ yoliswambebe619 this guys have lot of babies in South Africa and they don’t support them. When they leave South Africa. Women have to go and look for work 😂

[@faridaally6184]

???

[@shanaazcloete8531]

Are you suggesting people moving into badly built buildings should not be of concern, because of fear of deportation. Foreigners are not the problem its the GREEDY CULPRITS WHO HIRE THEM AND A GOVERNMENT WHO IGNORES WHAT IS GOING ON.

[@user-hr7to5jr1k]

The law states you have to sign in and out of sites so that if a tragedy like this occurs they know who to look for doesn't look like this was done.

[@Cent51]

If you look at the site, that building covered 80% of the site, and check in was most probably inside..

[@neelsswierstra4603]

Why embassy get to translate thought it is local people

[@user-hr7to5jr1k]

I can tell you the labour department is very busy inspecting building sites to check for compliance of all contractors involved in the building industry.But I haven't seen the municipalities building inspectors on sites

[@Lesoli.T_E.M.]

The Construction company must be held liable, how is it that they can't account for all trapped there and thier embassies have to be called. Cheap labour this one

[@ZingisaNogantshi-qg6yo]

Interview the companies as well of their mess

[@biersingh3291]

Why is SABC running 3 channels on Zuma n his lawyer .One channel should be 24/7 on this disaster

[@user-hn3ve5bu4o]

SABC is ANC

[@ede6822]

Why is a politician involve? Where is Disaster Manager. Heard developer is their funder, is this true?

[@jacquesgreeff6886]

Disaster Manager is on site and have been since the first moments of the disaster. He has been there for as many hours as is humanly possible and one can see the unbearable burden weighing down on his shoulders. The developer is not a known person in George and there is no evidence of him/they funding the municipality. Most of the building/construction in George is done by companies coming in to George to try and make a quick buck.

[@faridaally6184]

And bringing illegals with them

[@shanaazcloete8531]

Because its their funders they coming to cover up for. ANC is not the only corrupt party. DA equals them. For years there has been rumours about tenders being given to White Businesses who fund them. DA accuses ANC of BEE but they practice WEE. All their tenders needs investigation.

[@YoungLion449]

The DA is just better at hiding their messes than the ANC

[@Princelargo]

🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@denisepetersen8180]

🙏

[@kevinbromfield7595]

This happened in South Africa so the investigation as to how the collapse happened will take years

[@boimartin7866]

Everybody does not mince their words until mention is made of the 'developer'😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@marktboss]

If there was gold or money trapped or anyone of great importance this would have been going a lot faster. Why are there no bucket brigades. Why not utilize the military to assist with clearing the rubble by hand. It doesn't seem like there is that much urgency. Can only imagine what it must be like trapped in that.

[@Straightdeal]

Pity the Israeli's no longer welcome in SA. They are experts in this area. My condolences to the families involved,

[@user-hn3ve5bu4o]

Its so funny how the DA is responsible for this disaster

[@thembimaseko9600]

Never expected something like this in W C. Maybe A N C and D A are same what's up group. Revealed.

[@sariewilson3571]

😢

[@colin1235421]

Could this be related to the construction mafia?

[@beverleyherwel8937]

This is what im also wondering about😮

[@sisayabera5542]

😢😢😢😢

[@smileydee-cw7wu]

Who many evidence are being swept under the rubble here by key role players ,DA

[@hannesmulder6742]

Please share what involvement the DA has

[@silam2329]

​@@hannesmulder6742why?????

[@shanaazcloete8531]

@@hannesmulder6742 They given tenders to this company before and they there funders.

[@leahjane8849]

Some of these comments are so biased sies rather prayer for the survivors and families of the this terrible tragedy !!!!

[@shanaazcloete8531]

Terrible tragedy that could have been avoided if Greed and Exploitation did not rear its ugly head. A topic that seems to be one that White people want to side-track. The GREED needs addressing because Black Lives Matter even if they illegal.

[@user-wb2fq1tc3s]

National distaster.Human life.The President sees no need to visit the site busy campaigning.

[@user-hr7to5jr1k]

If you read the questions and how I replied you will understand poephol

[@shanegedula8183]

Cheap labour at some point bites back

[@lawnyon]

Which cheap labor cause the contractor works according to the plan

[@shanegedula8183]

@@lawnyon If you needs interpreters then how many of those workers are registered Artisans at the Building Industrial Council ?

[@lawnyon]

Bro hw wer they wrking if they cldnt communicate , these interpreters are for nxt of kins who shld help in identifyingthe bodies of the deceased and injured

[@shanegedula8183]

@@lawnyon They're not much on communicating we call them the earphone gang

[@abdush-shakoorabrahams4829]

Sad everything slow no urgency 😢😢😢😢😢 because it's people of color

[@estellevanderwesthuizen5037]

Jeez really now. Stop making stupid comments like this if you don't know what you actually talk about.

[@cloudstrife8791]

It really doesnt work like that. Your racial arrogance would kill all those people. Everything you do above ground affects below ground. You shift everything 1 side and it could add mass ontop of a survivor whos stuck in a small space crushing the survivor. Every played that game pick up sticks. You think you get the stick out and guess what all the sticks collapse. Ever build a sandcastle you throw out and sand and stones still falls down without solidifying the walls sections keep breaking adding constant sand to the hole being dug and in this case there is no solid walls. Rather try saving somebody than nobody

[@zambeziunderground8670]

Stupid comment.

[@elnapinto9936]

😠

[@johanrautenbach7459]

What an evil comment

[@Blimzio]

is it not weird that this happened two weeks before the election, an election that happens every 4 years 🤔