Update

GEORGE NEWS - Eighteen of the 33 deceased workers, 14 males and four females, involved in the Victoria apartment building collapse had been formally identified by 06:00 on Tuesday 14 May. Seven are South African citizens, three Zimbabweans, one from Lesotho, five Malawians and two Mozambicans.

Authorities  said the formal identification process has been completed by the Victim Identification Centre and Forensic Pathology Service (FPS).

Up to now, 47 victims have been linked to their families. These included the formally identified deceased and patients in hospital.

Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies said the names of those identified will not be released at this stage.

"George Police opened an inquest docket in connection with the death of the victims. It is important to note that the endeavours are currently focused on the search, rescue and recovery of the missing workers who are still trapped under the rubble," said Spies.

As at 06:00 this morning, Friday 17 May, 19 people were still unaccounted for and 62 had been found with 33 of these individuals deceased (27 males and six females). Twelve people were still in hospital.

George Herald spoke to Steven Phiri this week, brother of the deceased 19-year-old Malawian Florence Kawonga. Florence, the youngest of six siblings, started working at the construction site as a cleaner a few months ago. However, a video of her mixing concrete, allegedly at the site, has also been circulating.

Deceased: Florence Kawonga

Her body was recovered on Sunday 12 May.

Phiri says he last saw Florence on 2 May when she left for work. He could not say who exactly she worked for.

"She was part of a group of immigrants who were arrested on Friday 3 May, because they did not have proper documentation. They were released the next day. On Sunday she received a message that they have to be on site on Monday 6 May. Then on that Monday we heard the building had collapsed and we rushed to the site," said Phiri.

He described his sister as a loving person who loved taking photos and creating TikTok posts. "She was funny, a good girl."

After identifying her at the morgue, he is unsure of what the next steps are. "We have to bury our loved ones now, but nothing has been finalised. We are in talks with the authorities here and in Malawi to get the bodies back to Malawi where they will be buried."

Two Africa Skills students die

Africa Skills, in a statement on Tuesday 14 May, confirmed that the bodies of two of their learner-electricians were recovered from the rubble.

The body of Sihle Mehlo (28) from George was retrieved on Monday afternoon, 13 May. She started her apprenticeship of three years in January 2023. Sihle was a learner at the Industria campus of Africa Skills for the past 16 months.

By request of the parents the identity of the second deceased will not be released.

Both were conducting their scheduled host employer workplace exposure under professional supervision of a qualified artisan during the deadly implosion.

According to Elsie Harmse, CEO of UXi Artisan Development, their Africa Skills George campus staff and learners were clinging onto the hope and they continued praying for a miracle. 

"However, it is with deep sorrow that we've learned that both our learners have sadly passed away. The deceased have been positively identified by their respective families. On behalf of fellow learners, facilitators and the staff of Africa Skills in George I am sharing our sincere condolences with the parents, next of kin and other relatives. We visited both families whilst in George, and our hearts go out to them."

Deceased: Sihle Mehlo (28)

Harmse says the families involved requested their privacy to be respected. "I would like to thank our Africa Skills apprentices, learners and staff for supporting the families over the past week with prayers and worship, and also for respecting their privacy now."

A memorial service for Sihle will be held this morning, 16 May at 10:00 at the Lawaaikamp community hall.

Call to help send bodies back home

Earlier, Deputy Minister of International Relations Alvin Botes said efforts were underway to repatriate those who have died and called on members of the public and the private sector to help send the bodies of the dead back home.

In an interview with the news broadcaster eNCA, Botes said they have been engaging with mission representatives of Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

 "Of course, the key matter that concerns us is the repatriation process back to their countries of origin."

He called on members of the public and the private sector to assist government by "rallying" material and financial support for the families of the deceased.

Previous Articles: 

• Update: 47 victims linked to their families
• President Cyril Ramaphosa coming to George tomorrow
• Update: Death toll remains 33 while 19 still missing
• Update: One family finds closure
• Building collapse: 19 (out of 81) still missing

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