SAPS headquarters declared unfit for human occupation
The headquarters of the South African Police Service has been closed after being declared unfit for human occupation.
The premises, also known as Telkom Towers, was closed after the Labour Department issued notices of non-compliance to the occupational health and safety standards.
The building accommodates personnel attached to support divisions and components whose mandate is to provide administrative support to operational divisions.
Trade Union Solidarity says employees have been complaining about a shortage of clean drinking water, poor ventilation systems, dirty toilets, dysfunctional lifts and inadequate firefighting equipment.
Solidarity deputy general secretary Helgard Cronjé says it is shocking that the police cannot even comply with basic security legislation.
"Among these complaints were claims of respiratory illnesses and allergic reactions, presumably due to dirty office space and poor ventilation, and workers also complained of dirty carpets and problems with lice and cockroaches."
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says core policing has not been affected by the closure.
"Arrangements are being made for these functions to be performed from alternative premises.
"The SAPS is in continuous engagements with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure whose responsibility is the repair and maintenance of state facilities "
On Tuesday, South African Air Force’s headquarters in Pretoria were also shut down after workers it was issued with non-compliance certificates regarding Occupational Health and Safety standards.
The building, which houses 1,200 employees, has a ventilation system failure.
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