Lynn Williams
As more bodies are retrieved from the mangled wreckage of the building site in George, committed rescue workers and volunteers vowed to do everything in their power to assist, until the bitter end.
Nearly 700 emergency and disaster management officials have been working non-stop and have clocked more than 100 hours of service.
At any given time, they can be seen assisting with an array of duties on site, including drilling, excavating, removing rubble from the site in huge trucks, collating data, and providing meals, to name but a few.
One of the volunteers who did not want to be named said assisting their fellow man during their time of need is an honour.
She said the saddest part of the job was seeing the faces of the families of those who have died or are still missing.
"I can't even begin to imagine what they may be going through."
Premier Alan Winde said: “You are true heroes and we are immensely grateful for all you are doing in this very difficult time.
“That is what I admire the most about our Western Cape residents, when incidents of this nature occur, everyone comes together and steps up. You are all extraordinary.”
Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs, and Development Planning said they are using large construction machines to remove as much rubble as fast as they can.
"We are working towards hard-to-reach locations and this takes time. Teams are working very carefully and methodically."
Meanwhile, Disaster management announced that they have sufficient volunteers on-site, with names on a waiting list.
They asked the public not to respond to any requests for volunteers on social media unless the municipality formally issued such notice.
On Friday, demolition equipment was used to lift concrete slabs that obstructed access to the lower floors of the building site.
