A demolition team would work through the night to remove the roof and frames of a collapsed building in Stellenbosch under which three bodies are buried, a municipal official said on Tuesday.

"They've started the demolition process and are removing the sheeting from the roof," said the Boland town's director for community safety, Richard Bosman.

He said after the roof and the trusses had been removed, the building would "totally collapse" and rescue workers would be able to retrieve the bodies.

Five construction workers were killed and 13 injured in the accident which occurred during renovation work on Monday afternoon.

Bosman said the bodies would likely be recovered late Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.

Source: Sapa