As the death toll in the George building collapse reached 27 on Monday, one of the contractors has acknowledged claims that an unskilled worker had been roped in to prep the site.
The contractor said it was aware of a video clip showing a cleaner mixing cement during construction of the partially built five-storey block of flats in Victoria Street.
Liatel Developments Pty Ltd, the company that oversaw construction at the site, said the allegation was that Florence Kawunga had been roped in to mix cement.
According to Rapport, Kawunga was employed as a cleaner and had no experience when it came to building.
She is still trapped under the rubble.
“[The company] was made aware of a video clip released to the media regarding an allegation that Florence Kawunga was used to mix cement at the site, while she was employed differently,” Liatel director Theuns Kruger said.
“All information and allegations will form part of the investigations under way and that [Kruger on behalf of Liatel] has since the occurrence of the disaster been in contact with the various investigation teams and government departments.”
According to Kruger, Liatel has had representatives at the site since the tragedy struck on Monday last week, providing assistance to the disaster management team and community members.
By Monday, at least 27 construction workers were confirmed to have died and many more are still unaccounted for.
“The facts surrounding this disaster will be handled by the investigators assigned thereto, and it would be irresponsible to make any comments in a piecemeal fashion that would be speculative at best and not based on facts which must still be established,” Kruger said.
He said the facts would emerge through the thorough investigation under way.
“Once the facts have been objectively established, there is no doubt that some would be made available to the public, and until such time Liatel cannot engage in speculation but will focus on co-operation and assistance as it has been committed to since the disaster occurred.”
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