Staff face disciplinary action over fumes-related absences

The Department of Home Affairs has announced that disciplinary action will be taken against officials at its Akasia office who walked out of work on August 21, leaving residents in queues outside without assistance.

According to departmental spokesperson Thulani Mavuso, the staff left without authorisation, despite being provided with masks to continue working after concerns about lingering smoke from the recent Pretoria North tyre factory fire.

“Officials left the office without authorisation, leaving only four behind. As a result, they are facing disciplinary action.

“We cannot tolerate disruptions to service delivery, particularly when members of the public have travelled and queued for long hours to be assisted,” Mavuso said.

The department confirmed that a contingency plan was immediately activated.

Four additional officials from the Tshwane District Management Office were dispatched to Akasia to assist with collections. At the same time, arrangements were made with other Home Affairs branches in Tshwane to accommodate residents needing to submit applications.

“Despite the unauthorised walkout, all clients with appointments as well as walk-ins were assisted through these measures,” Mavuso added.

Residents expressed frustration over being told the office was not operating normally.

Some said they were instructed to return another day before the contingency plan was put in place.

One resident, who had travelled from Soshanguve, said the experience was disappointing.

“We were standing in the queue since early morning. Around 9:00, security informed us that the staff had left due to the smoke, and we would have to return another day.

“It was only later that some officials came to assist, but many had already left,” said Sheila Mabuya.

Another resident, Santie van Rensburg, who came for an appointment she had made five weeks ago, said the disruption cost her time.

“The staff was also rude. We waited from 06:00, and about three hours later, they told us to leave.

“They even told us to make new appointments for the following day. We were told that the staff left due to the smoke, but we had to sit for more than three hours, and we were not sick,” she said.

Mavuso acknowledged the difficult working conditions created by the heavy stench of burnt rubber following the tyre factory fire, but stressed that the department had provided support.

“The health and safety of our staff are important, but walking out without authorisation is not acceptable. Proper channels exist to raise such concerns. Our responsibility is to ensure service delivery is not interrupted.”

The Tshwane Emergency Services Department (ESD) has confirmed that after more than five days of continuous firefighting operations, the massive tyre factory blaze in Klerksoord has finally been extinguished.

The fire, which broke out on the afternoon of August 16, left behind a scene of destruction as emergency crews worked tirelessly around the clock to contain the inferno and prevent it from spreading to nearby properties.

According to EMS spokesperson Lindsay Mnguni, the flames were fully extinguished after extensive damping-down operations that stretched late into the fifth day.

“Our firefighters worked painstakingly under extremely challenging conditions. We are pleased to confirm that the fire is now completely out,” said Mnguni.

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