Police Minister Bheki Cele says contractors at the George building site are not forthcoming with information

CAPE TOWN - Police Minister Bheki Cele said that sub-contractors at a collapsed apartment block in George are not co-operating with police.

Investigators looking into the construction tragedy have not been able to determine exactly how many people were on site when the five-storey structure came crashing down a week ago.

The Neo Trend Group has been identified as the property owner, while Liatel is the principle contractor, along with six sub-contractors.

Twenty-six deaths have been declared, while it is believed 26 people remain unaccounted for.

Building plans were submitted to the municipality in December 2022 and approved seven months later.

The 42 apartments were to be handed over to their new owners in July.

However, with the block of flats now destroyed, those involved are reluctant to co-operate with investigations into the collapse.

Police Minister Bheki Cele said no information has been forthcoming in terms of the documents requested.

Only once the police investigation is complete, other probes, including one by the labour department can begin.