Inspectors in Limpopo Province shut down several government departments due to non-compliance – Department of Employment an
27 August 2024

The Department of Employment and Labour inspectorate in Limpopo province has recently prohibited the use of the building located on 10 Molotto street in Bela-Bela accommodating the Department of Cooperative Governance, Bela-Bela Local Municipality, and the Department of Home Affairs in the Waterberg district. 

The prohibition notice comes after the Occupational Health and Safety Inspector discovered during an inspection that the building poses an immediate danger of collapse to both clients and staff members due to major wall cracks across the building. 

Furthermore, the inspector prohibited the Department of Home Affairs from using the electrical installation which has exposed live wires in multiple areas, and frequent tripping of protection circuits which poses risk to employees’ health and safety. 

The Department of Employment and Labour’s office in Makhado was also found wanting by the OHS inspector after it was discovered during the routine inspection that, the building lacks active mechanical or natural ventilation posing immediate danger to the health and safety of people. 

The aforementioned office was also issued with a contravention notice for non-compliance with OHS regulations pertaining to general administrative regulations, general safety regulations, electrical installation regulations, environmental regulations for workplace, and facilities regulations. The contravention notice will require the employer to comply within sixty days from the date of the notice. 

Subsequently, the building accommodating Thohoyandou Labour Centre was also issued with a prohibition notice last week due to the fire-alarm which indicates a supply fault, the live DB board which has exposed wires and without certificate of compliance for the electrical installations. (The fire-alarm is to be attended by a registered and competent person) as per the notice served. 

The Chief Director: Provincial Operations (CD:PO) Phaswane Tladi said, it’s unfortunate that the buildings housing government offices have to be closed during a time when clients require services.  

“The department is working around the clock to ensure that areas of non-compliance as indicated by OHS inspectors are attended to with speed. The health and safety of both employees and clients is our top priority,” said Tladi. 

Tladi also commended the work of the inspectorate for working without fear or favour in ensuring that every workplace is treated equally irrespective of their designation.  He stated that the Department must set a good example so that others can see that the inspectorate is serious about compliance.
“Inspectors are responsible for preventing any fatalities that may result under such circumstances and we trust in their expertise to ensure that we provide conducive working environments for our staff and clients,” Tladi concluded.

The buildings housing the Department of Employment and Labour in Makhado and Thohoyandou Labour centres will remain closed until the landlord rectifies the issues identified. Subsequent to that, OHS inspectors will do a follow-up inspection which will determine whether the prohibition and contravention notices can be lifted. 

Meanwhile, arrangements have been put in place to ensure continuation of service delivery at Thohoyandou Labour Centre. 

Makhado Labour Centre will from tomorrow 28 August 2024, render services at Makhado Show Grounds until 6 September 2024. 

The Department apologises for the inconvenience that has been caused by the closures. Clients can still access online services at www.labour.gov.za.

For media enquiries contact:
Mapula Tloubatla
Provincial Communication Officer: Limpopo Province
060 989 7509 or Mapula.Tloubatla@labour.gov.za 

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Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour





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