PRESSURE groups say government is sleeping on the job following the ongoing Klerksdorp Labour Centre crisis in the North West.
Civil society organisations Sanco and Raise Hope have expressed outrage over the situation, accusing government officials of failing residents and workers.
The groups spoke during labour and employment deputy minister Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala's visit to the makeshift labour centre in Klerksdorp, Matlosana City, on Monday, 15 June 2026.
Residents left stranded
The organisations reacted after hundreds of residents were left stranded when Labour Centre employees downed tools over poor working conditions, bringing services to a halt on Wednesday, 3 June 2026.
Sanco regional secretary Mogomotsi Moshesh said the situation reflected a failure of leadership.
"We are highly disappointed that things reached a point where employees had to take matters into their own hands.
"This meeting with the deputy minister brought little hope and comfort that something will be done. This is an unbearable situation. We don't expect the Department of Labour, which serves the public daily, to operate under such conditions," he said.
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Workers and residents suffer
Moshesh said ordinary residents were paying the price for failures within government departments.
It has been more than two years since the department's offices at PC Pelser were closed due to water leakages and the presence of asbestos.
Raise Hope director Vincent Motloung echoed Sanco's concerns.
"We are not happy with what we saw here. There are long queues, some residents sleep here, and workers are overwhelmed by the workload. The department needs to increase staff," he said.
Motloung said both workers and residents deserve dignity, safety and efficient service.
Deputy minister responds
Deputy minister Nemadzinga-Tshabalala conducted an oversight visit to the makeshift centre on Monday, 8 June 2026.
She toured the facility with workers and officials and told Daily Sun that employees had agreed to return to work on Wednesday and resume services.
Asked about the tools down action, she said: "We don't see it as a tools down but as part of what was arranged and agreed upon regarding how offices and employees are going to function. So, they had a distraction that we saw on social media."
She said the department is awaiting feedback from the provincial Department of Public Works regarding the relocation of workers to a safer and more stable facility.
The deputy minister confirmed that about 80 workers would return to work on Wednesday, 10 June.
"In the meantime, as the Department of Labour, we are continuing to provide services to the public in this manner. The offices of both the director-general of public works and labour are in consultation. I have a duty to the public. I could not just sit there after I saw the social media posts," she said.
Daily Sun previously reported that residents had complained about the centre operating only on Wednesdays.
Many said they arrive as early as 1am or 2am in an effort to access services but have struggled for weeks.
