Mikeva Hyper closed down

Update

LATEST UPDATE @ 10:50: INSPECTION TO BE HELD AT MIKEVA TOMORROW

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Department of Employment and Labour in the Western Cape yesterday acted on a tip-off that an employer in Mossel Bay had intentionally defied his prohibition notice.

Led by the Inspectorate, upon entrance at Mikeva Hyper Cash and Carry Wholesalers, a member of the Massmart Group, the general manager was approached and informed that he did not adhere to a prohibition notice issued to him on 2 April 2020. The initial notice served prohibited the employer from performing any functions at his premises as he had contravened the Occupational Health and Safety Act no. 85 of 1993.

The inspectorate was accompanied by the police and about 150 workers were escorted from the premises.

The Department says they now intend to take further actions against the employer for not adhering to the notice.

In a press release the Department says this notice will stand until the employer addresses all the matters as set out in the prohibition notice.

Some of the contraventions included that social-distancing was allegedly compromised between the client and cashier and that the sanitisers in the workplace were also not certified, meaning that there was no indication that it met the requirements of the regulatory standards.

“This in itself is a dangerous practice as it gives a false sense of protection to those who use it,” the statement reads.

According to David Esau, Provincial Chief Inspector, the inspections at workplaces are not meant to be punitive, but instead are meant to ensure compliance.

“The intention is not to permanently close businesses, but to get businesses to adhere to the Covid-19 regulations as set out in the law”, he said.

A follow-up visit will be conducted by the Occupational Health and Safety inspector once the employer has confirmed that all minimum standards have been put in place to ensure the safety of both employees and clients visiting the wholesaler. If the inspector is satisfied with the efforts of the employer, the prohibition notice will then be lifted.