The collapse at a construction project in George, South Africa, has resulted in the deaths of at least 34 people and injured many more, allegedly as a result of failed safety protocols. Folllowing the collapse, further allegations emerged of wage theft, since workers were not being paid the minimum wage, and Sunday World reports most construction workers on site were undocumented workers from Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Lesotho.

The main contractor involved in the project, Liatel Developments, has said it is following protocol and an investigation is underway. The lawyer for Pacific Breeze Trading 91, a subsidiary of Neo Trend Group, another alleged developer, has said the company will cooperate with the labour department in its investigation. The Labour Minister said the department had failed to get in touch with the developer, Neo Trend. Neo Victoria Developments clarified its relationship to the project publicly, confirming it did appoint the contractor to work on the site but that none of its own employees were on the site.