Fallout as social development staff go two years without desks

Almost two years since the social development department’s offices in the Beacon Hill building near Zwelitsha closed down because of safety concerns, officials are still working from their vehicles.

Union Nehawu has now entered the fray, complaining service to the public is suffering and staff are frustrated.

Nehawu called for a proper and permanent building.

A number of non-profit organisations have not been paid or received their grants.

Social development confirmed the challenges, saying the department of public works was helping to find a building.

Nehawu regional secretary Mlu Ncapayi said it was time to engage social development MEC Siphokazi Mani-Lusithi and her HoD, Ntombi Baart.

Mani-Lusithi’s spokesperson, Lufefe Mkutu, said they were not in a position to say when the department was likely to get back into an office building as it depended on public works.

He said he was unaware of employees working at the back of their vehicles. “There are working arrangements approved as part of the Covid19 regulations,” he added.

He confirmed the situation was having impact on service delivery.

Twenty staffers, working from home since February 2019 when toxic formaldehyde gas leaked into their offices, turned to the courts earlier this month to stop the department from suddenly docking their salaries during lockdown.

Granting the interdict, the high court in East London slammed the department, saying the deductions threatened the staff members’ financial integrity, creditworthiness and ability to support dependents.

Public works & infrastructure spokesperson Vuyokazi Mbanjwa said: “Since the move out of the Beaconhill building, social development employees were accommodated in various stateowned buildings in Bhisho and

King William’s Town. The department went for open tender after the emergency route for office accommodation was disapproved,” said Mbanjwa.

She said one bid was received, approved and awarded to the landlord for 5,000m² for social development. “The estimate is that in 30 days time the project will be complete,” she said.