The long-overdue initiative marks the first tangible step in a more than decade-old commitment to remove asbestos roofing from thousands of homes. The project was derailed by corruption, legal battles, and administrative collapse.

On Friday (7/11), human settlements minister Thembi Simelane, Free State premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, MEC for Cogta and human settlements Saki Mokoena, and Mangaung mayor Gregory Nthatisi officially launched the demolition and removal of asbestos roofing from two-bedroom houses in Botshabelo.

Demolishing of two-room houses and removal of asbestos roofing in the Free State kicked off. Photo: Facebook 

A total of 16 units are being demolished by a specialist asbestos-handling contractor, while new Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses will be constructed by appointed contractors. 

The provincial human settlements department has also provided Temporary Residential Units (TRUs) for affected families as they await completion of their new homes.

The demolition of two-room houses.Photo: Facebook 

The Botshabelo demolition forms part of a R30 million provincial initiative that will see 80 asbestos-roofed houses demolished and replaced with 80 BNG units across five districts.

“The house we have just demolished is a twofold win in one. It’s removal of asbestos, but also it’s a programme the province has started on the eradication of two-room houses,” said Simelane. 

This is about restoration of justice; you could imagine a family in a two-room, one room it’s a kitchen, dining room, and everything, and the other it’s a bedroom just divided by a curtain. We do feel people of the Free State deserve the respect the MEC is giving and granting back to them.”

Simelane acknowledged national funding for the project remains limited, citing challenges with the fiscus, but affirmed her department is working closely with the province and Mangaung Metro to find sustainable solutions.

“You will know the project of asbestos was put to a halt due to a corruption investigation, and meant all that was reserved in the years was then utilised by other provinces. But the province then suffered; it had to make sure that consequence management was carried over.” 

Next two months

The new houses are expected to be completed within the next two months.

The resumption of the asbestos project comes as the R255 million asbestos corruption trial, which ensnared former Free State premier and former ANC secretary general Ace Magashule, looms in the background.

The high-profile case involving prominent political and business figures has been postponed to January. Among those charged are former Mangaung mayor Olly Mlamleli, former human settlements head Nthimotse Mokhesi, supply chain director Mahlomola John Matlakala, and several businesspeople, including Sello Joseph Radebe, Abel Kgotso Manyeki, and Thabane Wiseman Zulu.

Collectively, the accused face over 70 charges, including fraud, theft, corruption, attempted theft, and money laundering. Several of the accused have been released on bail ranging from R50,000 to R500,000, all of which have since been extended.

Meanwhile, former Magashule personal assistant Moroadi Cholota, who had challenged her arrest and extradition from America, was cleared of all charges after the Free State High Court ruled in her favor. The state has, however, warned this ruling could jeopardise the prosecution’s case, as Cholota was considered an integral witness in the asbestos roofing scandal.

• Have a news tip to share? Phone or whatsapp the OFM News Hotline: 066 487 1427.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg