Ramaphosa calls for George building collapse victims to be compensated

GEORGE - President Cyril Ramaphosa has appealed to those responsible to compensate victims of the George building collapse. 

The five-storey apartment block folded ten days ago, trapping 81 people under the rubble. 

Thirty-three deaths have been confirmed, while 19 people are still unaccounted for. 

The president visited the site on Thursday.

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The president described the George building collapse as a catastrophe. 

He also visited survivors and met the families of loved ones who died. 

The president has committed resources to assist with the psycho-social support of victims and grieving families. 

Ramaphosa also called on those responsible for the site to provide financial support to victims who sustained injuries on duty.

"There will be assistance for those in hospital, to be well treated. There will be assistance for those who have to be buried. There will also be compensation that will have to go through the various channels. Because this was a work situation, everything must be looked at to see the extent of which compensation can be made available, is made available." 

The president on Thursday honoured the fallen workers by laying a wreath near the site, that's still being demolished.