Five confirmed dead as search continues

ANOTHER body was recovered from under rubble yesterday at the site where the New Ahobilam Temple of Protection in Redcliffe, Verulam, collapsed, raising the death toll to five.

- MTHEMBENI VUMA

Search and rescue efforts remain ongoing as authorities fear that there might be others still trapped under the piles of rubble.

The four-storey place of worship, located on the River Range Ranch, was under construction when it collapsed around midday on Friday.

Thus far, the temple's founder Vick Panday, Vasudev Data Das, and Kishore Haribhajan, a local farmer from Brindhaven, were among the dead. The temple houses the Vrindavan Eco Village and is owned by the Vick and Helina Panday Family Trust.

Sushie Inder, Panday's sister, said her brother was a positive influence in the community. "He fed so many people in this community. He never let anyone starve.

"That's what I admired about him, my brother Vick. I really miss him," Inder said.

"It's a loss to the Panday family, yes, a great loss, but it's a gain to the Lord and to the kingdom. My heart cries.

"I will really miss him because he was not just a brother; he was like a friend to me.

"I pray God helps my sister-in-law in this as well and the entire family. I know God will give her strength. I know that" Inder said.

While it is yet to be established what caused the collapse, questions have been raised about whether all the required protocols and procedures were in order and adhered to at the building site.