It’s the first step in a decade-old initiative to remove hazardous asbestos roofing from thousands of homes, despite the project’s fraught history and connections to ongoing corruption investigations.

While tabling the 2025 budget vote in the Fourth Raadsaal in Bloemfontein, Human Settlements MEC Teboho Mokoena emphasised the urgency of the matter. “The removal of asbestos roofing has remained one of the most urgent and challenging priorities in pursuit of dignity, health, and the safety of our communities.”

Asbestos has long been banned due to its health risks, including cancer and lung disease. In the Free State, approximately 33,000 housing units are still roofed with asbestos materials. 

Despite the identification of over 36,000 homes for asbestos remediation in 2014, there has been little to no progress, leaving many residents exposed to ongoing health hazards.

The initiative’s slow pace and lack of delivery have come under scrutiny, particularly after the publicised arrests and ongoing bail hearings of former senior officials. Among them are former Free State Premier Ace Magashule and ex-Mangaung Mayor Olly Mlamleli, who face charges including fraud, corruption, and money laundering linked to the original asbestos contract.

R20 million has now been allocated for the removal and replacement of asbestos roofing in a mere 180 units. “These are the resources we don’t have, as … we have allocated R20 million to initiate asbestos roofing eradication across all five districts,” Mokoena said.

“This allocation will support the removal and replacement of asbestos roofing in an initial 180 units, focusing on high-risk areas and the most vulnerable households.”

Mokoena added that the department is partnering with the Housing Development Agency, which has begun assessment and prioritisation work to ensure the most critical cases are addressed first.

To replace all remaining asbestos roofs, the province would need an estimated R4 billion.

Mokoena tabled a R1.278 billion budget for the 2025/26 financial year, a 1.5% increase over the previous year.

• Human Settlements’ development grant: Increased from R758 million in 2024/25 to R829 million in 2025/26.
• Informal settlements upgrading partnership grant: Significantly reduced from R245 million in 2024/25 to R162 million in 2025/26, with continued reductions projected across the medium-term Expenditure Framework.
• Demolition and construction of two-roomed houses: R30 million earmarked in 2025/26 for replacement housing.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg