By Betha Madhomu
Cape Town – The South African Communist Party (SACP) in the Western Cape has expressed solidarity with the workers trapped under the rubble following the collapse of a building under construction in George on Monday.
As emergency services from various parts of the Western Cape rushed to aid in the rescue mission, the SACP emphasised the need for a thorough investigation into the cause of the collapse.
In a statement, the SACP highlighted the importance of ensuring compliance with all applicable construction regulations.
The party called on the Department of Labour and Employment to initiate an independent inquiry into the incident. This inquiry, according to the SACP, should focus on uncovering the root cause of the collapse and holding accountable those responsible.
“It is imperative that we get to the bottom of what led to this tragic incident,” said a spokesperson for the SACP, Benson Ngqentsu.
Senior Lecturer of Structural and Civil Engineering at Stellenbosch University, Prof Richard Walls unpacks the possible causes of a multi-storey building collapse in George that killed at least five people.
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“The safety and well-being of workers must always be a top priority, and any negligence or violations of safety standards must be addressed swiftly and decisively.”
The SACP emphasised the need for the investigation to be thorough to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
“Construction workers should not have to risk their lives due to unsafe working conditions,” Ngqentsu said. “Construction owners must prioritise the safety of their workers over profits.”
The party also announced its intention to closely monitor the progress of the rescue mission and the investigation process.
“We stand in solidarity with the affected workers and their families during this difficult time.”
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