Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by David Masoeu MPL and Afrikaans soundbite by David Mc Kay MPL.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) demands that the Free State Department of Health develop and implement a comprehensive maintenance and repair plan for all its buildings following the closure of its headquarters, Bophelo House, in Bloemfontein. The DA will write to the MEC for Health, Mr Monyatso Mahlatsi, requesting for urgent intervention to address the Department’s deteriorating infrastructure and prevent further disruptions to service delivery.
The Department of Labour has issued a prohibition order following concerns about unsafe working conditions and health and safety violations at Bophelo House. This follows a recurring pattern of health and safety failures across the department, with several other health facilities have also required intervention by the Department of Labour due to health and safety non-compliance, placing employees’ well-being at risk.
The closure of Bophelo House compromises service delivery by denying the public a physical office where they can access assistance and have their concerns addressed. Residents should not bear the consequences of a government that fails to keep essential services accessible and operational. Equally important, employees deserve safe working conditions that protect their well-being and enable them to serve the public effectively.
The DA is committed to ending the ANC chaos and restoring service delivery. The public deserves a government that prioritises functioning offices, accessible services and accountability, not one that allows deteriorating infrastructure and safety failures to disrupt essential services and leave communities struggling for assistance.