Three hundred families, who are beneficiaries of a multi-million-rand asbestos roof removal project in Postmasburg in the Northern Cape, have accused the construction company of shoddy workmanship. The community wants a reputable company to handle the work and storage of their furniture while fixing their roofs.

They have called for the National Association of Building Inspectors of SA to be actively involved in the project.

In October last year, families were accommodated at a temporary site while their houses were being renovated. In November, the SIOC Community Development Trust commenced the project to replace asbestos roofing with zinc sheets. The Trust appointed a contractor to execute the renovations, and it is now accused of substandard work. Some of the newly replaced roofs are already said to be leaking, and walls in some homes are cracking.

Amos Jonas and Melanie Fredericks are some of the beneficiaries who have raised concerns about the quality of work.

“We want these people to deliver quality and a job that is respectful. Currently, there are cracks at the houses, and they just paint over them. We have windows that are broken. Geysers that are leaking, so for me, I am very unhappy,” says Jonas.

“So far, I don’t see how we can call it an upgrade. For me, I feel like it is a downgrade, honestly, because they are doing a rush job. They are not professional. They must come with the first scope of what they promised us so we can see if KPA is really doing what they said they will do for the people,” says Fredericks.

The Tsantsabane Black Business Chamber, which has been at the forefront of ensuring things are done by the book, is calling for the SIOC Trust to handle the project better.

“Our appeal to SIOC board of trustees and the SIOC executive management is to really restore the dignity of our people not through words but through action,” says President of the Chamber Alister Davids.

Chief Executive Officer of SIOC Community Trust, Anita Loots, has acknowledged that there are some challenges and has indicated a window period where dissatisfied beneficiaries can come forward with their complaints.

“The involvement of so many local SMMEs presents challenges, but there are three assurance layers during construction/repair of the houses and structures with asbestos roofs. In addition, as is typical in the construction sector, beneficiaries do “snagging” and report items that need attention or that are not done to their satisfaction, once they have moved back into their homes. These are inspected and repaired. Thereafter, subsequent faulty items, which are linked to the work having been done, can be reported for a period of up to one year, for inspection and repair,” explains Loots.

In 2008, government implemented measures against asbestos, prohibiting its production, import and export. It also launched a programme to remove existing asbestos roofs that were declared a health concern, especially in older homes.