The City of Tshwane says it shut down the Correctional Services national offices in Pretoria to avoid a situation similar to last week’s, where three fire fighters lost their lives fighting a fire at a non-complaint Department of Health building in Johannesburg.
Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga shut down the 32 storey Poyntons building occupied by 1 500 people after it was found to have failed to comply with health and safety standards.
The city says this exercise is part of their routine rejuvenation project.
Msimanga’s spokesperson, Samkelo Mgobhozi says, “In light of recent development, and the safety of all residents of Tshwane, we elected to close the building down and to revisit it at a later stage to further asses the structural integrity and the apparatus to be adequate. We want to avoid a similar situation as to what happened in Johannesburg.”
Special Mayoral Operation at Poyntons Building in @CityTshwane CBD, currently being occupied by the Department of Correctional Services pic.twitter.com/ei1PMsppU9
— Solly Msimanga (@SollyMsimanga) September 12, 2018
This morning I led a special mayoral operation at Poyntons Building in the CBD, currently being occupied by the Department of Correctional Services, to inspect if they comply with the National Building Regulations. pic.twitter.com/kcz1vRC59K
— Solly Msimanga (@SollyMsimanga) September 12, 2018
In 2016 the @CityTshwane conducted an inspection at the building, and a number of recommendation where given in order for the building to comply with safety regulations. To date, none of these recommendations have been implemented. pic.twitter.com/o89Nc7OoOk
— Solly Msimanga (@SollyMsimanga) September 12, 2018
We cannot continue to put the lives of over1000 employees at risk, you are expected to report to work every day in a building that is not complying to safety regulations and is non-conducive. pic.twitter.com/pSJ7z05PCG
— Solly Msimanga (@SollyMsimanga) September 12, 2018
Due to the National Building regulation not being adhered to, we immediately stopped all activities and asked that staff evacuate the building with immediate effect. No one will be allowed to occupy the building until such time that all regulations are adhered to. pic.twitter.com/BJt2YYMLfH
— Solly Msimanga (@SollyMsimanga) September 12, 2018
