This is according to the Head (HOD) of the Free State Department of Cooperative Governance (Cogta), Mokete Duma, following the closure of the provincial Disaster Management Centre in Bloemfontein last week.

The Free State Department of Employment and Labour's communication officer, Cebisa Siyobi, stated that the Occupational Health and Safety inspectors showed that there were some serious safety hazards in the building. 

OFM News previously reported that the ceiling was collapsing, there were visible water leakages due to rain, and exposed electrical wires which - should it come into contact with water - could result in the electrocution of occupants, leading to possible fatalities, amongst other issues. 

Meanwhile, Duma admitted that the building is currently in a dire state and said that they will be working with relevant stakeholders to deal with the issue at hand.

“There are measures in place to try and fix whatever is wrong. We know that the third floor is the one that has the problem because the ceiling has fallen. We are also engaging with the department of labour to establish exactly what are the issues of non-compliance that they have picked up on. Our team met with the department of labour on Friday and today I am receiving a report on exactly what are the issues that are regarded to be non-compliant to the standard building regulations or occupational health and safety act,” adds Duma.  

The Chief Inspector in the Free State, Manelisi Luxande, stated that the department has zero-tolerance for employers who are non-compliant with health and safety regulations. He said that the building will remain closed until all safety issues have been corrected to the satisfaction of the inspector.

OFM News