R220m set aside to remove asbestos roofs, says Kubayi

The government banned the use of asbestos roofing in 2008 due to the material's links to chronic lung disease. 

Kubayi tabled the department's R35 billion budget vote for the financial year 2023/24 in parliament on Wednesday.

A total of R19,2 billion will be allocated to provincial grants, R12.5 billion for municipal grants, R520 million for emergency housing response and R1.7 billion will be transferred to Human Settlements entities.

Kubayi told MP's that eradicating asbestos remains the department's top priority.

"The number of asbestos roofs that have been removed in the past financial year include 1500 roofs in Seshego and 2100 roofs in kaNyamazane.

"The department is committed to the eradication and correct disposal of asbestos roofs and walls in old township properties across all nine provinces. In the current financial year,

"A total budget of R220 million has been allocated to the provincial Human Settlements Development Grant business plans in the Eastern Cape, Free State and Kwa Zulu Natal to implement 27 projects across the provinces to remove asbestos roofs," said Kubayi.

She told MPs that another priority for the department is eradicating mud houses, which has been allocated a budget of R1.7 billion in this financial year.

"We will introduce the use of remote sensing through satellite technology and other modern technology applications to help us locate and get a total count of all mud houses across the country. 

"This means we will have to acquire the skills to capacitate our department to be able to utilise these technologies."

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