Construction suspended at Franschhoek restaurant due to safety regulation breaches

THE Department of Employment and Labour has issued a warning to contractors against cutting corners to boost profits, following the suspension of construction at the Haute Cabrière restaurant in Franschhoek over multiple violations of health and safety regulations.

The findings come following an inspection by Provincial Chief Inspector (PCI) for the Western Cape, David Esau.

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) specialist for the province, Fezeka Ngalo, addressed workers on site explaining that it was being closed because of failures to adhere to OHS legislation and regulations and failure to present the required documents.

According to the department a main contractor on site had appointed a sub-contractor and they failed to produce a health and safety file; workers were working without wearing their protective personal equipment and the sub-contractor also failed to produce an appointment letter, and notify the department about the construction site.

Ngalo said the contractor and sub-contractor will have to address all areas of concern before the prohibition notice is lifted.

Haute Cabriere's Tanja von Arnim said they were hoping their paperwork would be in order by Monday’s visit so that work could continue.

“To start, Haute Cabriere would like to thank the Labour Department for upholding the rights and safety of workers, and we are thankful they have been able to support us in ensuring a safe environment. As an estate, we appointed top architects, engineers, and contractors with impeccable references and experience.

“We have been working with our team of professionals and the Labour Department to ensure that we comply. We are confident that the paperwork will be satisfactory by tomorrow’s visit from the Department and work will commence early next week,” Von Arnim said.

Meanwhile Public Work minister, Dean Macpherson has come under fire as families and victims of the George building collapse are still waiting to be briefed on the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) report into the incident, one month after he received the report. 

Two months ago, at the memorial service for the victims of the George building collapse, Macpherson pledged to return to brief families on the CBE’s findings of the Council for the Built Environment.

On June 2, he confirmed receipt of the CBE’s final report but he has still not returned to George to release the findings.

GOOD councillor for George, Chantelle Kyd said: “Every investigation, every report should bring closure, but instead it is adding to the same pile of unanswered questions, none of which bring justice any closer for the victims and survivors. The families should not have to beg for transparency, especially from a Minister who admitted this tragedy was ‘entirely preventable’.”

Macpherson’s office said he would be visiting the families on Saturday.

“The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, will, during the week of 7 July 2025, embark on a series of critical engagements across South Africa. On Saturday, the Minister will meet with the families of the victims of the George building collapse before addressing the media on the engagement,” the department of Public Works said.

Cape Times