Pretoria - The first 5 000 houses in Mamelodi, which were hit by the massive hailstorm last year in November, will be repaired soon, the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements and the City of Tshwane announced on Monday.
Human Settlements MEC Ntombi Mekgwe and Tshwane Mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa told residents whose houses were damaged by the hail storm that three contractors have been appointed to replace the asbestos with roof tiles.
MEC Ntombi Mekgwe said the devastation caused by the hailstorm late last year has adversely hit parts of the West Rand and Greater Tshwane, including Mamelodi.
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 was evidence of the level of commitment to the betterment of society and to ensure that those who are less fortunate and poor are looked after by government.
“As we begin the first phase of the hailstorm repair project, we are mindful that there are areas that were worse hit than others and that’s where the work is going to start,” said MEC Mekgwe.
She 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 asbestos with the roof tiles in the next coming years starting with those affected by the hailstorm,” she said.
She said preparations for the repair project are at an advanced stage, with each contractor already allocated houses to repair.
The two leaders’ visit to the township 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.
Mayor Ramokgopa said currently they have given 148 title deeds to congregations in the area of Tshwane and the value of that land is estimated at R65million. - SAnews.gov.za
