COSATU in GAUTENG is not surprised or shocked by the fire outbreak in a building housing the department of health. This has long being coming and workers have been saying it for a long time. The matter has been raised with the department on various occasions and including during a march by the federation to both the previous and the current MEC’s of Health.

The state of the building has also been a source of concern for both our affiliates DENOSA and NEHAWU. In fact this has resulted in the suspension of our shop stewards by the previous MEC of Health for raising genuine and legitimate demands of the workers in the building.

We demand an intensive investigation by the Department of Labour as to why management has refused to relocate the staff and continued to occupy the building, even though the signs have been there and the matter had been placed in front of the leadership of the department. We need those who are responsible for failing to relocate the Department to face the consequences.

We are saddened by the death of the emergency workers, who perished in the process of fighting the fire in the building.

Issued by COSATU GAUTENG Province and for further information contact Dumisani Dakile at 0827271422.