Nyanga Home Affairs office reopens

A Prohibition Notice that led to the closure of the Nyanga Home Affairs office due to serious health and safety violations has been lifted.

This comes after a follow-up inspection and meeting between the Department of Employment and Labour, the Public Servants Association (PSA), and Department of Home Affairs (DHA) officials.

The Nyanga Home Affairs office was closed last month after a Labour Department inspection uncovered a range of unsafe conditions. The issue was flagged by the PSA whose members had lodged several complaints leading to the matter being escalated to the labour department for an urgent inspection.

The inspection revealed serious health and safety violations, including mould on the ceilings, a leaking roof that posed fire and electrical hazards, sagging ceilings at risk of collapse, blocked emergency exits with only one functioning entry and exit point, and exposed electrical wiring.

The DHA was given 60 days to fix the issues and comply with the notice following the shutdown of its Nyanga office.

According to the PSA, together with the labour department they held a meeting with the DHA to discuss the matter last Friday. 

“Following a thorough inspection, both the PSA and the Department of Labour expressed satisfaction with the progress made. Consequently, the Prohibition Notice was lifted, allowing the office to reopen on Monday, August 11, 2025.

“The Department of Labour and the PSA will conduct a follow-up inspection in terms of the Contravention Notice to ensure full compliance with all health and safety regulations,” said PSA labour relations officer Crystal Human. 

DHA spokesperson Thulani Mavuso confirmed the necessary work had been done, it was only additional seating still left to be procured for clients. 

Mavusa said: “Work done included repairing the roof leakage, addressing fire and electricity risks, re-routing water to taps, unblocking emergency exits, carpet cleaning and replacing of damaged ceiling. Additional seating is being procured for clients. 

“It is quite a relief to have the office opened swiftly further to lessen impact on our clients and enhance our delivery of services to citizens with dignity. Going forward, the Department’s vision is to deliver Home Affairs at home, through digital transformation, to provide services to citizens and clients where they are. We will also be expanding Home Affairs services at banks to more than a thousand branches around the country to expand our footprint and broaden access to public services.” 

The Labour Department did not respond to further requests for comment by deadline.

Cape Times