Joburg ward councillor Themba Mkhize said that the extensive damage to Jeppe Hostel will make the 25-year-long overdue renovations difficult.
Mkhize said that long-term neglect has left one of the biggest hostels in the city in a state of disrepair, requiring full refurbishment.
On Wednesday, the Human Settlements Department conducted an oversight visit to five of the hostels under its control, which are undergoing renovations, including Jeppe.
Jeppe Hostel
The provincial government has earmarked R100-million for each of the hostels to fix problems, including plumbing, electricity, flooring and repairing cracks.
Mkhize said one of the challenges that they have faced with fast-tracking the progress is that renovations are conducted with occupants still inside the hostels.
“Progress is hindered because sometimes you find that all the people living in one unit are gone, and it’s locked, and they have to skip that unit.”
He said at least 15,000 people live at Jeppe Hostel for free, which has compounded the issue of overcrowding.
When asked about safety, Mkhize said that the installation of surveillance cameras around the premises has helped lessen the impact of crime.
“Before we had a big problem of people getting killed here, shooting at each other, hijacked cars would be hidden here at this hostel, but since the installation of cameras, things have changed.”
He said the residents are happy with the positive changes being made.
In other news – Actress Nelisa Mchunu returns to ‘Uzalo’ along with Mondli Nkomo and Jamy Lee Simons
SABC1 and Stained Glass TV have announced casting updates for Mzansi’s most-watched TV show Uzalo, with fan favourite Nelisa Mchunu making her long-awaited return and fresh faces Mondli Nkomo and Jamy Lee Simons joining the telenovela.
Nelisa reprises her popular role as Fikile, while Mondli debuts as Mr Dongwe and Jamy Lee joins as Joanne Davids, a trio set to shake things up in KwaMashu in the coming weeks. Read More
