Government to replace the health hazardous asbestos with roof tiles
Gauteng Department of Human Settlements and the City of Tshwane today announced that the first 5 000 houses in Mamelodi which were severely damaged by hailstorm will be repaired as a matter of urgency following the appointment of 3 contractors.
MEC Ntombi Mekgwe and Executive Mayor Kgosientsho Ramokgopa mentioned this to the residents of Mamelodi who were affected by the devastating hailstorm late last year in December. Government is going to replace the asbestos with roof tiles.
MEC Ntombi Mekgwe said the devastation caused by the hailstorm late last year has adversely affected the lives of people of Greater Tshwane including Mamelodi. She said the most affected areas were the West Rand and Tshwane, causing damages estimated at millions. A week ago MEC Mekgwe and Premier Nomvula Mokonyane visited Soshanguve to announce that the province had set aside R100 million to repair damaged roofs in greater Tshwane.
MEC Mekgwe said the renovation is evidence of the levels of commitment to the betterment of society and to ensuring that those who are less fortunate and poor are looked after by government. “As we begin the first phase of hailstorm repair project, we are mindful that there are areas that were worst hit than others and that’s where the work is going to start,” said Mekgwe.
MEC Mekgwe also announced that they are going to embark on a programme to replace all the hazardous asbestos in the province. “Asbestos is a hazardous material that poses health risks to human beings. We are going to invest millions to replace the asbestos with the roof tiles in the next coming years starting with those affected by the hailstorm,” said Mekgwe.
MEC Mekgwe said the preparation for the repair project are at an advanced stage, with each contractor already allocated houses to repair, which means around 5 000 houses in Mamelodi will receive immediate assistance.
The day also marked the handing over of title deeds to 25 church groups in Mamelodi, and this handover of land to churches is part of redressing the negative effects of the 1913 Native Land Act. Tshwane Executive Mayor Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said it was time to give back to churches which play an important role in the society. “I would also like to urge the churches to continue to play the critical role in our communities. The church movement has been very instrumental in the evolution of our society and the church was one of the most vehement voices against apartheid.” said Ramokgopa.
Ramokgopa said currently they have given 148 title deeds to churches in the area of Tshwane and the value of that land is estimated at R65 million.
Issued by the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements, Gauteng Provincial Government.
For more information contact:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Cell: 079 897 2240
