The Hatfield, Pretoria, building housing the headquarters of South Africa’s Department of Military Veterans (DMV) is seemingly not a good place to work in.
This was acknowledged last Friday in a DMV statement noting “internal reports of flooding, ventilation challenges and infrastructural faults”. “Concerns” around occupational health and safety (OSH) issues were, the statement has it, raised by staff members and the Public Servants Association (PSA), which has some 245 000 plus government employees. It notes further “the wellbeing of our employees remains a priority and we take these matters seriously”.
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), once termed “government’s landlord”, was informed of the building condition and will “assess and address” the state of the building. The DMV has submitted what is called “a formal request” to Minister Dean Macpherson’s department for a comprehensive inspection and remedial intervention. This includes addressing “water intrusion”, air-conditioning repairs, electrical safety and access control issues.
The occupational health and safety issues have not been handed entirely to DPWI with the DMV internal occupational health and safety committee tasked with regular risk assessments and compliance with relevant regulations. Measures are being put in place to mitigate immediate risks including contingency plans for alternative accommodation if conditions are deemed unsuitable for continued occupation.
Acting DMV Director-General Nontobeko Mafu is quoted in the statement as saying “processes” are underway to secure office accommodation that is not only easily accessible to walk-in military veterans, but more importantly compliant with all relevant legislation and not a health hazard to staff and the public at large.
The seeming lack of attention to building maintenance on the eastern side of the Pretoria central business district (CBD) by one component of Minister Angie Motshekga’s defence and military veterans portfolio is also evident on the western side of the CBD. That’s where the Bester Building complex is behind SA Army headquarters.
Two of the five structures making up the complex were earmarked as office accommodation for the SA Army Infantry and Army Support formations to, among others, minimise the SANDF lease footprint an provide better security. The planned February move didn’t happen because the fire damaged structures were unfit for human habitation and declared as such by the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL). As far as can be ascertained contractors, appointed in February, are still working on replacing and repairing electrical and water fittings, doors and windows as part of refurbishment work.
