The SAPS Detectives offices in Rustenburg, North West, have been shut down due to non-compliance with Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) standards.
The Department of Labour in the province conducted an inspection on the building in the Rustenburg CBD and closed the office due to its “unacceptable inhabitable and working conditions” it was found in.
The South African Policing Union (SAPU) said that this decisive action follows a formal complaint it lodged with the Department of Labour.
North West SAPU Provincial Secretary Tlou Mpheroane told Newsnote that they reported the matter after receiving numerous complaints from its members about the inhabitable and working condition of the building.
“We commend the Department of Labour for acting swiftly and prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of the workers.
The closure of this office is not just a response to our complaint, but also a clear and resounding message to the SAPS management, that buildings that are not compliant with health and safety regulations must not remain operational.
SAPU reiterates its long-standing position that law enforcement officers, like all workers, deserve to work in environments that are safe, dignified, and compliant with legal occupational standards.
The physical and mental wellbeing of our members is non-negotiable,” said Mpheroane.
The union has also requested senior police management in the province to audit all its buildings.
“We call on SAPS to take proactive steps to audit all its facilities across the province and immediately act on those that pose a risk to employees.
SAPU will continue to monitor and escalate unsafe working environments to relevant authorities until the standard of compliance is uniform across all police facilities,” explained Mpheroane.
Furthermore, the union alleges that several police stations, offices, and border posts buildings such as Swartkop are in bad condition.
