Gauteng Human Settlements pleased with maintenance work at hostels

JOHANNESBURG - After three years of repair work and a R500 million bill, the Gauteng provincial government said it is pleased with the progress of maintenance work at hostels. 

Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements Tasneem Motara, and Johannesburg MMC for the department, Mlungisi Mabaso, led an oversight visit to Joburg's inner city hostels on Wednesday.

The list includes the George Goch, Mba, Murray and Roberts, Jeppe and Denver hostels.  

Motara said all the buildings were assessed before the upgrades began. 

"That was really to give us a sense of the structure of the building. What needs to be done? Should we refurbish, it should be repaired if we are to refurbish, what will it cost to make them?"

She said the maintenance work does not include any demolition of the structures, but instead some light work.  

"We're dealing with internal works, painting, replacing floor tiles, plumbing, electrical work, ceiling, lighting, repainting and then there is structural work."