Heavy rains leave Social Development employees in dangerous working conditions
At least one employee is said to have been taken to the hospital due to shock.
SEBOKENG. – The heavy rain that fell yesterday afternoon has left part of the Department of Social Development offices in Houtkop, Sebokeng destroyed.
The heavy rain blew part of the building’s roof off, and rain came into some of the offices leaving the ceiling damaged, electrical cables were exposed by the wind, and furniture and documents destroyed. Despite this, the Sedibeng Social Development Department’s Regional Director, Tshifiwa Tshikalaha is said to have told employees to enter the building and work.
The workers called their different unions, amongst them the National Education, Health, and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) who engaged the management.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, on condition of anonymity, an employee told Sedibeng Ster that during the heavy rain, only one emergency door was available for exit and that all other doors were locked.
“We are worried about our safety here. We want the head office to come here and assess the situation. Who is he (the Director) to tell us that the building is safe and that we can get in? What about our lives?” the employee asked.
When Sedibeng Ster tried to get the full details about the situation, Tshikalaha was said to be in a meeting.
At the time of going to print the Gauteng Social Development Departments’ MEC Mbali Hlope, was also said to have arrived at the offices to assess the situation.
