NORTH WEST LEGISLATURE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE TO CONDUCT FOLLOW-UP OVERSIGHT ON OFFICE ACCOMMODATION AT TEB OFFICE PARK

The North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, chaired by Hon. Sipho Dial, will conduct a follow-up oversight visit on the status of office accommodation for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development at TEB Office Park in Mahikeng.
The follow-up oversight forms part of the Committee’s resolution taken after an engagement with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Department of Employment and Labour, the Department of Public Works and Roads, and representatives of the landlord to assess the challenges affecting the occupation of the Department’s new head office accommodation.

During the engagement, the Committee received a detailed briefing on the history of the Agri Centre building, which housed the Department’s head office staff since the dawn of democracy.
The briefing outlined the ownership arrangements between the Provincial Government and the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), lease agreements administered through various property management agencies, and the gradual deterioration of the building due to inadequate maintenance and poor facilities management.

The Committee was informed that the deteriorating condition of the Agri Centre resulted in the Department of Employment and Labour issuing several compliance notices in July 2024. These related to, among others, general workplace safety, environmental health standards, facilities management and electrical installations. Following inspections, a contempt notice was issued in October 2024 after many of the identified shortcomings had not been addressed.

Between December 2024 and January 2025, Mowana Properties, the landlord of the Agri Centre building, undertook remedial work, including repairing sections of the leaking roof, removing damaged carpets and suspended ceilings, and conducting electrical assessments. Despite these interventions, the building continued to present occupational health and safety concerns.

As a result, the Provincial Executive Council (EXCO) instructed the Department of Public Works and Roads, working together with Provincial Treasury, to identify alternative office accommodation for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
TEB Office Park was subsequently identified as suitable alternative accommodation, and the Department’s head office staff relocated on 1 June 2026.
However, on 26 June 2026, the Department of Employment and Labour conducted another inspection at TEB Office Park following complaints received regarding the building. The inspector subsequently issued both contravention and prohibition notices citing, among other concerns, malfunctioning lifts, the absence of adequate emergency exit doors, the lack of a structural integrity report and outstanding certification for the air-conditioning system. These findings were communicated to both the Department and the landlord.

Following these developments, the Department issued a circular on 29 June 2026 directing employees to revert to previous working arrangements, with staff temporarily relocated to Kgora, district offices and Local Area Offices (LAOs) while the identified concerns are being addressed.
Having considered the reports presented, the Portfolio Committee resolved to summon the Department of Public Works and Roads, the Department of Employment and Labour and all relevant stakeholders to account on the progress made in resolving the outstanding compliance issues.
The Committee further resolved to intensify its oversight to ensure that all contraventions are addressed urgently and that employees can occupy a workplace that complies with occupational health and safety standards.

Chairperson of the Committee, Hon. Sipho Dial, emphasised the importance of resolving the matter without further delay.

“This Department plays a critical role in promoting agricultural development and supporting farmers across the province. We cannot allow service delivery to be compromised because officials do not have safe and suitable office accommodation.
All stakeholders must work together to ensure that the outstanding compliance issues are resolved as a matter of urgency.”

Ends

Issued on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Sipho Dial.
To arrange interviews with the Chairperson, please contact Ms. Namhla Luhabe on 079 527 0628.

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