Employment and Labour awaits Southern Sun investigation reports

The Department of Employment and Labour is awaiting a Southern Sun hotel investigation and structural reports to decide on the next course of action on the “near fatal” incident that led to the collapse of a ceiling on Monday.

A team of inspectors led by the Department’s Inspector General Aggy Moiloa yesterday visited the Southern Sun Hotel in Rosebank to establish the causes of the ceiling collapse.

“In an unprecedented move, the Department of Employment and Labour’s Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) branch following the Monday incident, embarked on a national blitz of Southern Sun hotels across the country.

“Dozens of inspectors’ teams have been mobilised across South Africa to conduct the blitz inspections of Southern Sun establishments starting on Wednesday morning,” the department said in a statement.

A team of departmental inspectors visited the site of the incident on Tuesday and issued a prohibition notice on the affected area which is the hotel’s restaurant as well as a contravention notice and also requested a structural report.

The hotel has been given seven days to furnish all necessary documentation to the department and 60 days to repair the damaged area.

Following that, on Wednesday, the department’s Inspector-General, Aggy Moiloa visited the site of the incident and said when such incidents occur, the department takes the posture of assistance “because we want business and employers to comply with legislation”.

The Inspector-General was accompanied by the department’s Chief Inspector Milly Ruiters, a team of inspectors responsible for the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Occupational Health and Safety, Unemployment Insurance Act, and Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act and senior departmental officials.

“According to Southern Sun Operations Director, Andrew Hoskin, the hotel has isolated the collapsed area. He said of the guests that were in the hotel only one patron was injured and has since been discharged from a medical facility.

“Although the Engineering Report was crucial in establishing the cause, he said the ‘substantial hail’ in the area on Monday at about 18:30 may have caused the collapse,” the department said.

Hoskin was full of praise of emergency services including the police for their speedy intervention.

“The department will await the Southern Sun investigation and structural reports to decide on the next course of action.
“The purpose of the visit was to establish the cause of the collapse and devise mechanisms to prevent future incidents and ensure compliance,” the department said.