SIPHELELE NKETO
AUTHORITIES have declared the Mthatha-based historical building of Botha Sigcau safe for access by the King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) fire department following the successful containment of the fire and sufficient cooling of the structure.
The Eastern Cape provincial government this week announced that the last flare-up occurred on March 27, and the building was condoned off to allow for cooling and ongoing safety monitoring of the structure, until the KSD fire department declared the building safe to access effectively on April 10.
According to the government, this would allow forensic investigators and technical teams to commence detailed assessments to determine the full extent of the damage and the cause of fire.
The 13-storey building housed 1 330 officials from both provincial and national departments when it sustained extensive damage on March 24.
A comprehensive engineering assessment will also be undertaken to inform rehabilitation procedures and long-term use of the facility.
Since access to the building has now been permitted, the government has already implemented extensive measures to ensure the continuity of services following the fire incident. Affected departments have been relocated to alternative sites, while some employees continue to work remotely where feasible. The Department of Health was moved to EMS Mthatha Base Station, Mthatha Depot, and Lilitha Nursing College. Essential administrative services that were delivered from Botha Sigcau continue to operate despite space and infrastructure limitations to ensure ongoing support for health facilities across the district.
The Department of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs (Cogta) employees are currently accommodated at the KD Matanzima Building to ensure business continuity, while the Department of Education has been relocated to Attwell Madala High School, St John’s College, KD Matanzima Building, Umtata High School and Trinset Building.
The Department of Social Development was moved to KD Matanzima, and other departments have been relocated around the town of Mthatha and Tsolo.
