BY REGINALD KANYANE
LOCAL government and human settlements department in North West said they will assist municipalities to adhere to labour practices. Provincial spokesperson, Ben Bole said they were aware of the fine pinned down to Moses Kotane local municipality for contravening of occupational health and safety regulations.
“We will work closely with affected municipalities. Our employees’ safety must be prioritised. Failing to adhere to that, will bring us unnecessary fines. Precautionary measures must always be applied at all time.
“The employer must ensure that the employees are safe and working under conducive conditions. So as the department, we will make sure they adhere to the call. The fines derail our basic service delivery to our people because we ended up using the money that was unbudgeted for to pay the fine.
Moses Kotane local municipality was fined R20 000 after they ignored occupational health and safety regulations. The labour department inspectorate and enforcement services welcomed the fine and said this will deliver a stern message to other municipalities.
Labour department provincial spokesperson, Orpa Mathabe said the matter took two years before it could be resolved.
“Our labour officials, Jeff Lethoko and Elvis Nkotwe fought the battle for almost two years. The municipality was totally ignoring contravention notices instructing them to comply with the occupational health and safety (OHS) act of 1993,” Mathabe said.
Lethoko commended the court for their splendid decision. He said this will encourage safety in South African workplaces.
“Our inspector, Elvis Nkotwe will visit the municipality again after 60 days to confirm compliance. We will meet the municipality again on September 22 for the closure of the case. However this will happen only if there is compliance,” he added.
The municipality failed to provide workers with toilet paper as stipulated on the Facilities Regulation 2(3) (a) and (d) of the OHS Act. They also contravened the law by failing to take workers for medical surveillance and provide emergency doors in the buildings.
SAMWU provincial secretary, Thebeetsile Mokoto said they welcome the fine. He said only one municipality out of 23 adhered to labour practice.
“Thus far the judgment sees two of the North West municipalities fined whilst other cases are still on the court roll. Some offices of Tswaing local municipality in Sannieshof, Ottosdal and Agisanang remain prohibited by labour inspectors after they were tagged unsafe for workers.
“We urge our municipalities to take the safety of our workers into considerate. We cannot continue to see our workers being exposed to unfavourable working conditions,” Mokoto said.
TDN
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