Cape Town – Following last week’s building collapse in George, Western Cape, where more than 80 people were trapped, it has been revealed that eleven of the 18 identified deceased were foreigners.
Efforts to identify the victims continue, with many of those affected hailing from Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, the he local municipality revealed, according to The Citizen.
Visual identification is challenging, leading authorities to employ scientific methods such as DNA testing.
“The identification of descendants is the responsibility of the South African Police Service (SAPS). The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness FSP [Forensic Pathology Service] manages the visual identification in support of the SAPS.
“After an incident such as this, visual identification can understandably be difficult and traumatic for family members and requires SAPS to undertake identification through scientific means, of which DNA testing is one method,” the report quoted the municipality as saying.
In an interview with eNCA, Deputy Minister of International Relations Alvin Botes said that initiatives were in progress to repatriate the deceased.
“We 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.”
Meanwhile, a group of Zimbabwean construction workers has travelled from Mossel Bay to George to support the family of Peter Chitsika, one of the workers still missing.
According to EWN, the workers express solidarity and empathy, highlighting the risks they face in the construction sector and the necessity of supporting their families back home in Zimbabwe.
Maxwell Goshito said that construction employers in South Africa value cheap foreign labor and offer only a meager wage, reflecting on the value placed on his life within the industry.
“I have no choice. I have to look after my family. People are suffering back home in Zimbabwe. So, when we are here, we are trying our best. We are pushing,” the report quoted him as saying.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
