MBOMBELA – A government building in town has become so rundown that the department of economic development has moved its staff out. Yet employees of the departments of health and social development are still utilising the offices at 66 Andersen Street.
A sign on the entrance informs visitors that “due to the deteriorating state of this building” the Mpumalanga Liquor Authority’s (MLA) offices are being relocated.
An employee told Lowvelder that as a result, they had not been working since January 7. But Mr Angelo Sebastian, acting CEO of the Liquor Authority says his employees have been using the department’s head and satellite offices. He says they should be settled into their new offices at 14 Bateleur Building in Nel Street by this week.
“The MLA is a public entity and needs to be separated from Andersen Street so as to avoid public confusion and ease of access to our clients.”
The newspaper first reported on the dilapidated state of the building in 2013. This week an employee walking through the reception area pointed to the holes in the ceiling and broken tiles and commented, “Look at this, this is not a building”.
A regular visitor said he also informed the authorities about the building last year after he had to fix an employee’s door handle with his pocket knife.
Mr Ronnie Masilela, spokesman for the department of social development said that while the building was not in the best condition, his department’s staff members were comfortable where they were.
The majority had moved to the new Mbombela sub-district offices located in Tekwane South in 2013, to be near where most of the people who use the department’s services live.
The remaining 15 use offices in the left wing on the ground floor where the building is in a much better state than elsewhere.
“We are successfully working there and servicing people from Mbombela, Elandshoek, Msholozi, Mayfair, Mattafin, Karino, Valencia and all surrounding farms. We will never allow a situation in which our officials work under dangerous conditions.”
Luckily, as Masilela points out, they never have to use the stairs.
The Ehlanzeni offices of the Department of Health are also located in the building. Mr Dumisani Malamule, spokesman for the department says funds have already been allocated for maintenance.
“Assessments have been done and contractors are to commence with work on Monday, to be completed by March 31. This also includes fixing lifts and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning equipment.
“The contractors will commence with areas that are vacant and once they are finished, personnel will be moved to those which have been completed and are ready for occupation.”
