By The provincial government in the Free State is making steady progress in the removal of health hazardous asbestos roofing in communities replacing them with suitable corrugated iron roof sheets.
The Free State MEC for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Human Settlement, Mr Saki Mokoena, will today Monday, 15 December 2025, handover 45 units in Reddersburg in the Xhariep district that had asbestos roofing and were safely removed and replaced with corrugated iron sheets for the safety of the families occupying the respective homes.
Though asbestos roofing has become synonymous to corruption following the former Free State Premier’s corruption allegations, and has brought a heavy dark cloud of discouragement to citizens, the current trajectory is shining a beam of hope to those living under the health scare.
According to the Spokesperson for the Department, Ms Zimasa Mbewu, MEC Mokoena will inspect houses wherein the safe removal of asbestos roofs has been completed. She explained that the project entailed the removal of asbestos roofs in 45 units and replaced with suitable corrugated iron roof sheets.
Mbewu said the safe removal of existing asbestos roofing sheets and the installation of corrugated iron was done in full compliance with the Asbestos Abatement Regulations (AARs, 2020) and all relevant statutory health and safety requirements observed.
“The initiative targeted mainly three-room units in Reddersburg. The department has targeted 80 units in the province to the tune of 20 million Rand,” said Zimasa Mbewu.
MEC Mokoena will also handover tools of trade for the Community Works Programme (CWP).
The MEC will be Reddersburg from 9:30 am.
