Central SA
Free State Destea offices temporarily closed due to compliance issues─── ZENANDE MPAME 14:11 Wed, 19 Mar 2025
The Free State Department of Economic Development and Tourism (Destea) has put in measures to ensure that business continues after the temporal closure of its offices due to compliance issues.
The Department of Labour identified compliance issues on the ground floor of the building situated at 113 St. Andrew Street in Bloemfontein on Tuesday (18/3).
It was closed for the health and safety of staff and clients. The public is urged to use the ePermit system which can be accessed on the departmental website for all biodiversity permit needs for the duration of the office closure.
“The affected units are Supply Chain Management and Biodiversity Management which is responsible for the permit office and Problem Animal Control and Law Enforcement office,” said Free State Destea spokesperson Mojalefa Mphapang.
“The temporary closure of the floor is necessary for the health and safety of the departmental clients and employees. The department has put in place several measures to ensure business continuity.”
The department would like to assure the public that service delivery remains the number one priority of the department, he said.
MEC of Destea Ketso Makume will launch the Textiles Manufacturing Cluster. Photo: Bloemfontein Courant
Members of the public and clients who require PH Exams, manual permit applications, hunting registers, including J534 fines are advised to contact the following officials; Leepile Garekoe at 079 951 0200 and Nomasomi Tshingo at 066 487 2786.
Supply Chain Management services can also be accessed by contacting the roaming number on 082 695 5851, and walk-ins can report to the security desk to be redirected to the relevant floor for services.
Meanwhile, MEC of Destea Ketso Makume will launch the Textiles Manufacturing Cluster on Thursday (20/3) in Phuthaditjhaba to attract investment and foster technological learning, and job creation.
Industrial clusters are groups of industries, such as cement, steel and chemicals, textiles, and automotive, which are physically in the same location.
“The programme aims to create competitive and comparative advantages to draw in creative companies, which will boost the Free State economy and create jobs,” said Mphapang. “The textile manufacturing sector plays a very critical role in driving economic growth due to its labour absorbing character.”
This sector has always been supported by the department to build a sustainable and transformed economy which can create employment, he said.
