BLOEMFONTEIN – The Free State Department of Health’s headquarters, Bophelo House, in Bloemfontein, has been closed indefinitely after the provincial Department of Employment and Labour issued a prohibition order. All officials housed at this property will be working remotely with effect from today – Wednesday.
It emerged that the closure was further prompted after a cleaner slipped on a wet surface, an incident blamed on prolonged non-compliance with basic Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards. Located on the corner of Charlotte Maxeke and Harvey Streets in Bloemfontein, the building houses the office of the MEC, the head of department, and core administrative units. The department is the main tenant at this privately owned property.
Mondli Mvambi, provincial spokesperson for the department, has confirmed the developments, including a cleaner slipping on a wet floor and officials working remotely until further notice. He said Ernest Mohlahlo, head of the department, gave the directive that all officials work remotely following a prohibition notice issued by the Department of Employment and Labour.
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“This is due to findings of non-compliance and structural uninhabitability of the head office building. The department also wishes to clarify that the water on which a cleaner slipped was caused strictly by a water leak from the ceiling and not by a sewage spillage. The female official sustained no serious injuries and is fully mobile, walking on her own. She is currently receiving medical attention for minor pain,” said Mvambi.”
The department regrets this development, and management has already initiated measures to ensure operations are uninterrupted,” Mvambi added.
According to Mvambi, responsibility for maintenance of the property falls within the ambit of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, together with Transnet as the landlord. He said remedial work started nearly three weeks ago to repair roof leaks, upgrade electrical wiring, and replace faulty plugs and systems.
