Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Vincent Cruywagen
Published on 2024-02-29 22:01:09
On Tuesday, 27 February, a joint inspection team comprising labour department officials, police management, and representatives from the Solidarity trade union visited the police’s Telkom Towers North building in Pretoria. After conducting a thorough assessment, it was deemed that the building was unsafe for occupation due to a myriad of issues. As a result, the offices were immediately closed down to ensure the safety and well-being of the employees.
The closure of the 24-storey Telkom Towers building came on the heels of a similar situation where the South African Air Force had to shut down its headquarters in Pretoria due to unsafe and unhealthy working conditions caused by malfunctioning ventilation systems. This highlighted a larger problem with the state of government-owned buildings in the capital city.
The Telkom Towers building in Pretoria’s CBD accommodated personnel responsible for administrative support to operational divisions of the police force. With the closure of the building, arrangements were being made to relocate these functions to alternative premises to ensure the continuity of operations.
Renate Barnard, representing the Solidarity trade union, expressed shock and dismay at the conditions within the Telkom Towers building. Describing every floor as unfit for occupation, she highlighted the deplorable state in which SAPS management staff were working. She noted discrepancies such as the lavishly refurbished 24th floor meant for Police Minister Bheki Cele, in contrast to the overall dilapidation of the building.
The Telkom Towers complex, consisting of 10 buildings, was purchased for R695 million in 2015 with an additional R200 million allocated for renovations. However, the building was plagued with issues such as non-functioning toilets, fire safety risks, dysfunctional ventilation systems, and other health hazards. The Department of Labour ordered an immediate evacuation of the building, pending compliance with safety regulations and necessary certifications.
Solidarity had previously raised concerns about the unsafe working conditions at Telkom Towers in a letter dated November 2, 2023. The trade union pointed out the violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act by SAPS and urged immediate action to address the situation. The lack of response from SAPS prompted Solidarity to escalate the matter to the Department of Labour for investigation.
The closure of the Telkom Towers building highlighted a systemic issue with government-owned facilities and their maintenance. The safety and well-being of employees should be a top priority, and it is essential for government entities to ensure that their workspaces are safe and healthy. Efforts must be made to address the underlying issues that led to the closure of Telkom Towers to prevent similar situations in the future.
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
