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Workers fear for safety

SAFETY THREAT: The new offices of the department of public works. Pic: ELIJAR MUSHIANA. 11/11/2009. © Sowetan.
SAFETY THREAT: The new offices of the department of public works. Pic: ELIJAR MUSHIANA. 11/11/2009. © Sowetan.

DEPARTMENT of public works employees operating from a new office building in Limpopo are worried about their safety after the roof collapsed on two occasions.

The employees said the building posed a danger to their lives because the roof had collapsed twice since they moved in in May.

They said they were living in fear, especially on rainy days, because the roof was shaky and always made a rattling noise.

On Tuesday night the roof in the office of MEC George Phadagi collapsed after a heavy storm that damaged other parts of the building.

Sowetan visited the offices shortly after the rain and found contract workers busy picking up parts of the fallen materials.

Phadagi, who said yesterday he did not go to the office because of other work commitments elsewhere, confirmed the roof of the building was "not up to scratch".

He blamed the contractor for not putting up a proper structure to ensure the safety of employees.

"But it's not a train smash. All that is needed is for the contractor to do finishing touches to ensure the roof is strong to allay any further fears that might be raised by employees," said Phadagi.

Department head Ramaran Naidoo yesterday described the collapse of the roof as "nothing serious. You will understand that we are experiencing severe weather conditions and the building is still new, but there's nothing major".

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