MBOMBELA – Department of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism MEC, Pat Ngomane visited the Sappi Lumati Mill in Barberton yesterday.
He was on site to check whether the company complies with the national lockdown regulations. This was his second visit this week. Ngomane visited the Mill to verify an allegation made by a caller on Barberton Community Radio station who claimed that the company was operating despite it not providing non-essential goods. However, the MEC established that the Mill is classified as an essential service and goods provider.
“The company was authorised to continue with its operations, given that it provides essential goods, its operations were continuing as normal. I stressed to them that they cannot fully operate as normal and I implored them to reduce their workforce during this period because I did not believe that all departments at their Mill produce essential goods,” explained MEC Ngomane.
The company reduced their shifts from three to two for the duration of the lockdown. This will ensure the that only people producing essential goods are at work. A register was introduced for all visitors to the Mill. Ngomane also visited the Home Affairs office as well as a clinic in Hazyview for the same purpose.
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