The Department of Transport, Safety, and Liaison’s provincial office, housed in the Ocean Echo building on the corner of Sidney and Lennox streets in Kimberley, was forced to close this week after the Department of Employment and Labour issued a prohibition notice.
THE DEPARTMENT of Transport, Safety, and Liaison’s provincial office, housed in the Ocean Echo building on the corner of Sidney and Lennox streets in Kimberley, was forced to close this week after the Department of Employment and Labour issued a prohibition notice.
Alternative offices have yet to be secured after the building, commonly referred to as the “Glass Palace”, had to be vacated with immediate effect on November 26.
A non-compliance notice was issued on March 14, 2023, due to a lack of ventilation, while improvements had to be made to address potential fire hazards.
It was reported that the air conditioners were still out of order and the temperature inside the building often rose to over 40 degrees Celsius as there were no windows.
Staff members also raised serious safety concerns, noting that only one operational elevator posed significant risks during an emergency evacuation.
Many employees also reported developing respiratory illnesses, including asthma, and frequently required sick leave due to poor working conditions.
The chairperson of the Northern Cape Civics Association, Ross Henderson, stated that they would request a criminal investigation be reopened into the lease agreement, failing which he would pursue private prosecution.
Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison spokesperson Rennie Andrias confirmed that the building had to be vacated after the Department of Employment and Labour issued a notice of prohibition in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act on Monday.
“We will ensure that all our clients and the public still receive services from the department that they are entitled to. We urge the public to be patient with us during this challenging time,” said Andrias.
He added that the department was working with the Office of the Director-General to find office space in other government departments in the interim.
“We will communicate with the media and the public once this process is done. All senior managers remain in constant contact with employees to update them on any developments.”
He directed enquiries about the reasons for the prohibition notice to the Department of Employment and Labour, which had not responded to media questions by the time of publication.
Labour unions have meanwhile expressed that they have many unanswered questions regarding the closure of the building.
It has been reported that management was considering making staff members share cubicles as a possible option.
National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) provincial secretary Moleme Moleme said yesterday that staff were waiting at home for official communication.
“We are waiting for the employer to engage with staff. We have raised issues of non-compliance relating to occupational health and safety regulations at the department. They must engage with us before implementing any changes,” said Moleme.
Public Servants Association (PSA) Northern Cape manager Steve Ledibane believed the closure of the Ocean Echo building could have been avoided.
“The PSA has consistently raised concerns about the occupational, health and safety transgressions,” Ledibane stated.
He said notices of non-compliance were issued in 2022 and 2023 after inspections were conducted by the Northern Cape Department of Employment and Labour.
“The national Department of Employment and Labour visited the Ocean Echo building on November 26 and issued a notice of prohibition as per the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). The notice ordered immediate closure.
“These circumstances could have been avoided had the department taken remedial action in 2022 and 2023.”
Ledibane stated further that the public would not have access to services while the building was closed.
“The union calls on all responsible managers to ensure that their offices are OHSA compliant,” he concluded.
