The Citizen reports that crumbling concrete, visible mould, rising damp and consistent water leakage reflect the state of Gauteng province’s Imbumba House in Johannesburg.

The hazardous building houses staff from the provincial departments of Treasury and e-Government (e-Gov). Treasury has adhered to an order to move out of the building, but e-Gov staff are apparently still there. Shocked by conditions inside the building, the Public Servants Association of SA (PSA) condemned the refusal by e-Gov to close Imbumba House. The trade union said it posed severe threats to the health and safety of employees and the public. According to PSA labour relations officer Henry Hall, in more than five years, the state of the building has worsened. “Lots of people got very ill because of it. One of our shop stewards had to take medical retirement because of it as she was asthmatic. The air conditioners never worked properly and the heat was so high that she couldn’t work there anymore,” he lamented. According to Hall, the building was neglected and dilapidated, with structural damage. “The department of labour was called in a couple of times and there was a provision order issued at some stage. We believe it had been revoked again, but we have continued to plead with them to move the staff members out of the building and close it down as it is extremely dangerous,” Hall said. Gauteng MEC for finance Jacob Mamabolo said he was aware of the situation. He indicated that he had met with trade union Nhawu about it and would also be meeting with the PSA.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lunga Simelane at The Citizen

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