MEC Mamabolo visits site of collapsed Soweto building

Source: www.enca.com

MEC Mamabolo expressed condolences to the families of the deceased, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The building collapsed when a group of people were stealing metal parts from the structure. Five people have been rescued from the wreckage of the building and have been taken to hospital.

"Preliminary investigations show that the building collapsed after the main steel [frames] supporting the structure were tampered with. We are waiting for special equipment to assist us to retrieve the bodies," said Johannesburg Emergency Services spokesperson, Nana Radebe.

Johannesburg Emergency Services personnel, assisted by Ekurhuleni Emergency Services, are battling to retrieve the bodies of the two people still trapped inside the building.

On arrival, MEC Mamabolo was briefed by police and emergency services personnel about the situation.

He called on the local community to allow emergency services personnel to do their work without interruption.

"We are appealing to people to allow emergency services personnel to do their job without being hindered," he said, adding that a full investigation will be conducted.

"The investigation will tell us who the owner of the building is and why it was abandoned."

MEC Mamabolo told SAnews that he was hopeful the two bodies will be retrieved today.

According to locals, the building has been abandoned for years.

"People have been coming to steal metal in the building and selling it to local scrap dealers," said a local resident.