GEORGE TRAGEDY SURVIVORS LEFT IN COLD

In many cases, families have been left without sufficient assistance, closure, income

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE and NICOLA DANIELS

LIFE remains a daily struggle for Shadrack Mayine, who lost a leg and arm in the George building collapse, which claimed the lives of 34 of his colleagues and left dozens injured.

He was among the workers that were rescued when tragedy struck on May 6 last yearan incident no one has yet to be held accountable for despite several parallel investigations and promises.

At an emotional one-year commemoration yesterday, survivors and grieving families in attendance echoed the need for justice and support. Mayine, now unemployed, uses a prosthetic limb.

“I feel better now. I can walk and move around, but my arm still gives me pain. I'm unemployed, and my family and volunteers help me. Being on the site again was painful. It took me back to the day of the incident.”

Another survivor, Ivaldo Macamo, also described the economic hardship he now faces. “I can’t pay for my kid’s education because I am struggling, and no one is coming to my assistance,” he said. Virgilio Sitoe, who is also unemployed, expressed frustration: “No one can help me with a job, not even the Labour Department.” For some, the trauma of the collapse is compounded by personal loss. Lucas Mthethwa lost his nephew Mmeli, who had come to George from KwaZulu-Natal to find work. “It is now difficult to accept his death. I brought him here to build a future,” he said.