The age old Piet Koornhof building was closed late last month, and there is no progress as to what is going to happen next.
Mr Slovo Mathibela, Chairperson on NEHAWU (National Education Health and Allied Workers Union) said that no department has office space.
Mr Slovo Mathibela, Chairperson of NEHAWU, showing where the source of the problem is at the Piet Koornhof building. This was during their meeting at the building with the Department of Labour on Wednesday, September 20.
“The only department that is partially accommodated is Health and Social Services and the Department for Social Development. Departments like Agriculture, Department of Public Works, routes and transport do not have offices,” he said.
He said that Health and Social Services is cramped in Beatty Clinic, because of all the medical equipment. He also said that the Department is currently at another building but the rest of them wait under the trees and serve customers the best they can.
Water is running underneath and close to electricity cables in the basement at the Piet Koornhof building. This was during a meeting with NEHAWU and the Department of Labour on Wednesday, September 20.
He added that there are currently no office numbers to contact, as they are using their cell phones.
“We are waiting for the Department of Public Works to tell us where to go from here,” said Mathibela, “Our seniors from the province are failing us. They are not checking on the current situation.”
WITBANK NEWS reported last week that the Piet Koornhof building was closed after the Department of Labour made the call on Wednesday, September 20. The reason for this is the unsafe working conditions of the building and various problems were identified which contributed to this decision.
“The Department of Labour were contacted and we discussed the persisting problems at this building on Wednesday. One of the biggest concerns is that the third floor is being renovated; the offices even have showers and kitchens. But the water running underneath the building is not being fixed. It is damaging the foundation, weakening it,” said Maluleka,
“The contractors are saying that the third floor can not be used because of the bad condition of the rest of the building. An inspection was also done on the building to see if it is still safe to be used. The third floor is currently a ‘white elephant’, just standing renovated while it can not be used.”
This was a statement made by Ms Maphefo Maluleka, secretary of NEHAWU.
ALSO READ
https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/101448/piet-koornhof-closed/
https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/100533/piet-koornhof-building-closed/
