By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The South African Air Force (SAAF) has temporarily closed its headquarters in Pretoria, due to unsafe working conditions, highlighting the importance of workplace safety and infrastructure maintenance.
A notice circulated to employees using the headquarters building advised members to execute their duties from home between 26 February and 11 March.
They were told to join a WhatsApp group call every morning to report their readiness for work.
Anyone needing to visit the building will have to wear a mask at all times, sanitise regularly, preferably visit in the morning, and limit visit duration to a maximum of two hours.
Last Friday, the Department of Labour issued a seven-day notice for compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act following a complaint by the union.
“The shutdown of the SAAF headquarters, triggered by a critical failure of its ventilation systems, highlights the severe implications of insufficient funding and maintenance within the SANDF, “said SANDU national secretary Pikkie Greeff.
“The personnel stationed there have been subjected to temperatures soaring up to 39°C, accompanied by substandard air quality, negatively affecting their health and productivity.”
“Today (Tuesday), the SA Airforce command, in reaction, decided to close the building temporarily in the interest of the health and safety of the SA Air Force members.
Greeff said the responsibility for the maintenance and repair of the facilities lies with the Department of Public Works.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) could not be reached for comment.
The temporary closure of the SAAF headquarters is a vivid reminder of the challenges facing military and governmental institutions worldwide as they navigate the complexities of maintaining aging infrastructure on limited budgets.
Meanwhile the headquarters of the South African Police Service (SAPS) 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.”