GEORGE - Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi has confirmed that a police investigation into the cause of the fatal building collapse in George is now underway.
12 people have been confirmed dead since the structure caved in on Monday afternoon.
Over 20 workers are in hospital having suffered minor to life-threatening injuries.
The total number of people who were on site at the time has now been adjusted to 81.
44 workers are still unaccounted for, as rescue efforts continue.
Nxesi says the issue of foreign nationals being employed by companies is not relevant at this stage.
He says that the main focus should be on supporting the families of the workers and respecting the rights of all human beings.