South African public service broadcaster SABC has issued the following statement following the publication of the article “SABC staff in a “deathtrap’’ in Sowetan Live on 27 July.
The SABC would like to clarify the issue as an impression was created that SABC staff in the Mpumalanga province are working under unsafe and unhealthy conditions.
A structural engineer has confirmed that the building has no structural defects and is therefore considered safe.
On 8 June 2011, the Department of Labour in Mpumalanga did a routine inspection of the building which the SABC is leasing in the province. The department during this inspection, identified maintenance issues inside and outside the building.
The Provincial General Manager was then provided with a Contravention Notice in this regard, to do repairs within a specific period. It must be noted that according to the lease agreement between the SABC and the Landlord of the building, the maintenance of the interior of the building is the responsibility of the SABC, while the external part is the responsibility of the Landlord.
A contractor was then appointed, who erected scaffolding outside the entrance of the building. The contractor undertook to build a tunnel, which staff members would use to enter and exit the building.
By 22 July, this tunnel was built and after inspection by the Department of Labour, it was found to be safe.
However on 25 July, the Department returned to further inspect renovations now taking place outside the building’s entrance. They found that the contractor had not provided his own employees with protective gear, which was outside the SABC’s terrain of responsibility.
In order to ensure a speedy resolve to this matter, SABC management yesterday held a meeting with staff inside the very building, along with representatives from the Communications Workers Union (CWU) and the Media Workers Association of South Africa (MWASA).
During this engagement the following decisions were taken:
• The Group Executive: Stakeholder Relations and Provinces, Mr. Hlaudi Motsoeneng, will make funds available to do internal renovations. It must be noted that the Department of Labour stated that there was nothing structurally wrong with the building. Entrance with the scaffolding did not pose a danger and it was safe. In fact a Certificate of Compliance was also received around the electrical wiring of the building.
• A Structural Engineer was commissioned to evaluate the building. A report was submitted today by the Engineer, which stated that “The work which is scheduled to be done by the contractor does not constitute any negative impacts on the structural integrity of the building and is therefore considered safe, on condition that the requirements of the Construction Regulations 2003, issued in term of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 is adhered to. No additional temporary or permanent support of the existing structure is required during or after the execution of the works’.
The SABC would like to make it clear that the health and safety of its employees is of paramount importance and will do everything necessary to ensure this.
