Storm ravage Visser flats in Trichardt finaly gets the roof replaced
A hefty storm early in October 2020 destroyed the roof of two of the low-cost housing units known as the Visser Flats on the edge of Trichardt. Elderly residents of these flats hastily attempted to save their belongings from water streaming in through the roof with plastic that was supplied by a community organization.
The municipality allegedly showed up a day or so later to assess the damage but never made an insurance claim with their insurer for repairs to the damaged buildings. In December 2020, residents of the flats, still with the plastic covering part of their living room, emotionally shared with the Democratic Alliance how Christmas is only going to be a sad story for them since their houses have not yet been repaired. A hole in the roof was obvious with water damage to the ceiling being visible.
Thanks to consistent pressure from the DA, by January 2021 the Govan Mbeki Municipality finally submitted a claim for the repairs of the roofs of the two flats that were affected by the storm. However, these claims took an eternity to be finalised and required constant follow-ups with the finance department and the council to finally focus the attention of the municipality on the pleas of the residents.
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Finally, in August 2021, the municipality cleared up the claim and the zinc roofs of the flats were repaired.
“The DA is of the opinion that it is inhumane that the ANC-led municipality must forever be pushed and shoved before delivering services such as seeing to the safety of elderly residents in buildings that are owned by the municipality,” said Ciska Jordaan, ward 25 Councillor Govan Mbeki and Deputy chairperson of the DA Mpumalanga, “Despite the new roof, the Visser flats are in general in a sad state. Windows and carpets must be replaced in some of the flats, walls must be painted and electrical wiring is a problem.”
“Not only did it take nearly a year for the Govan Mbeki municipality to repair the roof while residents live with holes in their roof throughout the winter, but also do residents of the Davieshof housing struggle often to have geysers replaced and for general maintenance to take place.” she continued, “It is only a change in who has their hands on the Govan Mbeki Municipality’s pathetic money matters, that would bring a change in the services that are delivered.”
“I urge residents of Govan Mbeki to use their power in the coming Local Government Election to vote for a party that cares – the DA.” said Ciska Jordaan
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