BLOEMFONTEIN — The Free State Department of Health’s central offices at Bophelo House have been closed indefinitely after the provincial Department of Employment and Labour issued a prohibition order, the department confirmed on Wednesday.
Immediate closure and remote work
All officials normally based at Bophelo House — including the office of the Member of the Executive Council (MEC), the head of department and core administrative units — have been instructed to work remotely with immediate effect, said provincial spokesperson Mondli Mvambi.
The closure followed an incident in which a cleaner slipped on a wet surface. The department said the fall highlighted prolonged non-compliance with basic occupational health and safety (OHS) standards in the building.
“This is due to findings of non-compliance and structural uninhabitability of the head office building,” Mvambi said, adding that the female official sustained no serious injuries and is receiving medical attention for minor pain.
Cause, responsibility and remedial work
The department clarified the wet surface resulted from a water leak from the ceiling, not from a sewage spill. Responsibility for building maintenance, it said, rests with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and with the private landlord, Transnet.
Mvambi said remedial work began nearly three weeks earlier, targeting roof leaks, electrical wiring upgrades and replacement of faulty plugs and systems. Despite these repairs, inspectors from Employment and Labour found conditions that led to a prohibition order and the subsequent evacuation of staff.
Operational continuity and public services
The Department of Health said management has initiated measures to ensure operations remain uninterrupted while staff work remotely. The exact arrangements for access to records, patient files or in-person services were not detailed in the statement.
Officials remaining off-site may affect in-person administrative functions and consultations that normally occur at the head office. The department is the main tenant of Bophelo House, at the corner of Charlotte Maxeke and Harvey Streets in Bloemfontein.
- Location: Bophelo House, Charlotte Maxeke and Harvey Streets, Bloemfontein
- Tenants affected: MEC office, head of department and central administrative units
- Known hazards: roof leaks, faulty electrical wiring, wet floors due to leaks
- Responsible parties: Department of Public Works and Infrastructure; Transnet (landlord)
Context and implications
The closure exposes recurring concerns about compliance with OHS standards in provincial buildings. While maintenance work was underway, the prohibition order indicates that regulators found the premises unsafe for continued occupation.
For staff and members of the public who need to engage with provincial health officials, the department’s move to remote work should be treated as an interim measure. Individuals requiring in-person services are advised to contact the department through official channels for guidance on alternative arrangements.
The department confirmed the cleaner who fell is mobile and receiving medical care for minor pain. No further details were provided about any internal reviews or disciplinary steps, nor about timelines for a return to the building.
Journalists and members of the public seeking clarification were directed to statements from the provincial Department of Health and to the Department of Employment and Labour for information on the prohibition order and any follow-up inspections.
The incident adds to broader concerns about the condition of public infrastructure and the responsibilities of provincial departments and state landlords to maintain safe working environments for public servants and visiting members of the public.
