BuaNews (Tshwane)
Edwin Tshivhidzo
14 July 2008
Pretoria — The Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality has set aside R200 million over the next three years to renovate two of the city's oldest block of flats.
Schubart Park and Kruger Park, on the corner of Vermeulen and Paul Kruger Streets, have been earmarked for renovations after residents complained about the poor state of the buildings.
There are a total of 1 134 flats housing numerous families, but they are in a state characterised by leaking pipes and protruding electrical wires and the lifts which are constantly out of order, will also need to be replaced.
Most of the tenants residing in the government-subsidised flats are pensioners who have been staying there for more than 20 years.
According to Tshwane Executive Mayor Gwen Ramokgopa, the buildings were in a bad state and did not comply with health occupation standards and therefore had to be repaired.
Ms Ramokgopa, who took a tour of the buildings and spoke to residents, said the renovations would commence once all the residents had been evacuated to other places.
For the renovations to take place without hindrances, Mayor Ramokgopa said the council would provide older persons and persons with disabilities with alternative accommodation.
"All of us agree that this building is not good for people to live in, it is just not good at all," Ms Ramokgopa said, adding that the pipes could not be repaired, but needed to be replaced.
During the inspection of the building, senior municipal officials and representatives of the Housing Company Tshwane which is responsible for the management of the flats, conceded there was a real need for the buildings to be renovated.
Chairperson of the Schubart Kruger Park Residential Committee Aubrey Ramothlale told BuaNews that while the committee and residents were happy with the idea of renovating the flats, they were concerned about relocating people.
"The council must provide us with alternative accommodation," Mr Ramothlale said, adding that many residents could not afford to find alternative accommodation.
According to Mapule Phora from the municipality's Housing Department, part of the money set aside for the renovations will be used to relocate some of the residents, but that this would only include the elderly and people with disabilities.
According to the city's MMC for Housing, Absalom Ditshoke, the flats are for rent only and no individual tenants were allowed to stay for free.
The MMC also expressed concern about the overcrowding in the flats, saying that an average of seven people were residing in one flat.
"Due to accelerated wear and tear caused mainly by overcrowding and vandalism, the buildings have serious problems affecting the elevators, water pump-stations, fire-fighting equipment, electrical, water, and sewer reticulation networks," he said.
One of the residents at Schubart Park, Gaile Shalasky, 83, complained of the lack of water and the lifts that were never working.
The resident of 20 years said life had become unbearable in the building.
"I just hope that by renovating, the situation will get better. This place is now like a pig sty," she said.
Ms Shalasky is unemployed and dependant on a social grant.
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