Inspectors shut unsafe Nyanga Home Affairs office

THE Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has 60 days to comply with a Labour Department notice issued after serious health hazards, flagged by the Public Servants Association (PSA), forced the shutdown of the home affairs Nyanga office.

The Nyanga office was closed on Tuesday after an inspection uncovered the unsafe conditions. 

Following the inspection, a direction notice was served on the DHA for contravening health and safety regulations.

The notice requires the department to submit a valid Electrical Certificate of Compliance for all repairs and installations, and to conduct an Ergonomics Risk Assessment before commencing any work that could expose employees to ergonomic hazards.

Alongside this, a prohibition notice was issued, seen by the Cape Times, preventing the reopening of the Nyanga office until several urgent safety measures are addressed. 

These include the immediate repair of the leaking roof to reduce fire and electrical risks and the replacement of sagging ceilings to prevent potential collapse and structural damage.

The department must also unblock all emergency exits, as currently only one door is used for both entry and exit, posing a serious evacuation risk. 

In addition, clean, potable drinking water must be provided for staff and the public, the current JOJO tank was found to be inadequate and had not been serviced for more than a year. 

The DHA was also ordered to repair and properly secure all exposed electrical wiring to eliminate the risk of electrocution.

The Department of Employment and Labour did not respond to further requests for comment on the matter by deadline.

 The PSA said they could no longer stand by and "witness the continued degradation of the DHA Nyanga Office".

“Following numerous complaints from our members regarding hazardous working conditions, the PSA escalated the matter by requesting an urgent inspection by the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL). Despite the clear dangers, the employer has failed to issue any formal communication or guidance to staff regarding their safety or that of the public. This inaction reflects a disturbing disregard for the health and safety of both employees and the public.

“The PSA urgently calls on the Department of Home Affairs to act swiftly and responsibly to safeguard the well-being of all affected. A safe and healthy work environment is not a privilege, it is a Constitutional right. The Department must take immediate steps to comply with legal safety standards and restore dignity to the workplace and the Department of Home Affairs,” said PSA labour relations officer, Crystal Human.

The DHA confirmed that a mobile unit was on site from Wednesday to provide services to clients, DHA said. 

“Priority is to have the findings speedily addressed for citizens and clients to continue receiving uninterrupted services they deserve. The Department has escalated the matter to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure for swift engagement with the landlord of the building. 

“The Department regrets this development given the inconvenience it has caused to clients and remains committed to ensuring a safe environment for both clients and officials in the delivery of services. We are doing all in our power to minimise impact on communities, thus the deployment of a mobile office was prioritised,” said DHA spokesperson and deputy director-general for operations, Thulani Mavuso.

Cape Times