As the confirmed coronavirus cases increase, so does the anxiety of the community as a whole.
Employers and employees alike are under severe scrutiny to obey Covid-19 safety regulations, and authorities have warned of severe consequences for failing to do so. Multiple departments are involved in helping the public stay healthy – from the Department of Labour to the SA Police Service.
“All departments take an integrated approach, depending on the environment,” stated Brigadier Mashadi Selepe, who has been handling complaints about non-compliance since lockdown began. The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has been the chief enforcer of Covid-19 regulations in the workplace, and remain the primary authority to report non-compliance to. Anybody who wishes to report their employer can do so to any local JMPD office,” stated JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Wayne Minnaar.
Authorities are, however, inundated with complaints, with Rika van Heerden, Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality Region C Environmental Health Manager highlighting the massive strain her department was under. “We are struggling to reach everybody. Employees can also report their employers to the Department of Labour as it falls under their control.”
Non-compliance can also be reported to the police, with Brigadier Azwinndini Nengovhela fielding complaints for the Johannesburg region.
For both employees and employers wanting to know their rights as gazetted by government, Regulation Gazette No. 11128 of 4 June gives a comprehensive overview:
Directions for Health and Safety in the Workplace – 4 June
Here are important numbers to call in order to report non-compliance with Covid-19 regulations in the workplace:
- National Health Laboratory Service Workplace hotline 0800 21 21 75
- SAPS Johannesburg Region Brigadier Azwinndini Nengovhela 082 778 0409
- Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department 011 375 5911 or 011 490 1630
- SAPS West Rand RegionBrigadier Mashadi Selepe 060 997 5094
- Roodepoort Department of Labour 011 766 2000Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality Region C 011 761 0111
