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The Department of Employment and Labour in Gauteng, has noted with grave concern the acts of violence levelled against our staff and malicious damage to property by selected few members of the public at Soweto and Atteridgeville Labour Centres today, 15 September 2020. The violence, which was directed at our officials and private security personnel is unacceptable and goes against the constitutional values of our country and departmental ethos. We condemn it in the strongest terms.

We will not engage those who choose to resort to violence and thuggish behaviour. The Criminality will not be condoned. Sadly, these attacks occur in exceptionally vulnerable communities, where service delivery is most needed. Such violent and thuggish behaviour aimed at our officials and property is despicable, to say the least. The Department calls on the law enforcement and criminal justice system to ensure that the perpetrators of acts of violence are held accountable.

We wish to reiterate that Employment and Labour will not allow lawlessness and violence to disrupt the service delivery at our labour centres.  This kind of unacceptable acts of violence have long lasting and have widespread implication for the physical and mental health of individuals.

It should be noted that as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, all the offices of the Department had to operate with minimal numbers of staff in order to ensure their health and safety. This also include the Department taking appropriate measures to ensure that our clients are also protected from possible infection. As a result, the speed and efficiency with which services had to be rendered to our clients were severely hampered. This resulted in long queues outside our offices, thus leading to frustrations and complaints. Notwithstanding all of the above challenges, our officials are committed to ensure that all our clients do receive the services.  

We appeal to all our clients who have genuine complaints and concerns to use relevant and well established platforms to raise their concerns.  We have a clear criterion of the number of clients we will assist per day while observing lockdown regulations.  We are committed to continue helping our vulnerable clients and workers to provide financial relief especially to those who are still under lockdown conditions.

For media enquiries contact:

Teboho Thejane

Departmental spokesperson

082 697 0694

OR

Mapula Tloubatla

Media Liaison Officer

060 989 7509

“Our actions are key to stopping the second wave of Covid-19 spread. Wear your mask, wash hands regularly and keep maintaining the social distancing"

-ENDS- 

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

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