Free State residents living under asbestos roofs struggling with their health

Despite the controversial and highly inflated asbestos audit of 2014, well over 30,000 homes with asbestos roofs remain in the Free State.

The rebuilding of homes and the removal of asbestos may be happening in the province, but at a snail’s pace.

Last week, seven suspects were arrested on 60 charges of fraud and corruption relating to this tender.

The 2014 asbestos audit cost the taxpayer over R200-million and was awarded to Edwin Sodi’s Blackhead Consulting.

They couldn’t and didn’t do the work so it was subcontracted twice and ultimately was completed at a cost of R21-million.

That audit identified 36,344 homes with asbestos roofs.

A sub-contractor says he deserves the more than R20-million he pocketed. The state capture inquiry is this week probing an asbestos contract worth R255-million by the Free State government. Abel Manyike’s Ori Group is one of the companies that benefited from that tender. #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/URvZ612tYy

— eNCA (@eNCA) August 7, 2020

On top of the R255-million for the audit project, over the last six years, Free State Human Settlements has spent over R120-million replacing these hazardous roofs or rebuilding the dilapidated homes.

The department has managed to build only 3,518 new units since 2014. That’s an average of only 586 houses a year.

On the outskirts of Bloemfontein, the dusty township of Dark City remains an asbestos hub.

Resident Miriam Mashwabi has been living here since 1986.

“We have been waiting for them to fix the asbestos issue until now,” she said.

“This asbestos is not good. It gives us TB. We no longer have our kids because of the asbestos that causes TB.

“There is nothing the councillor is saying about it.”

Ditshegwane Botsine said she fears she has developed cancer from years of exposure.

“I grew up with lung problems. When it’s raining, the asbestos dust falls inside the house and then I breathe it in,” Botsine said.

Source: eNCA

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