'Extensive damage to Jeppe Hostel will make 25-year-long overdue renovations difficult'

JOHANNESBURG - 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.

The provincial government has earmarked R100-million for each of the hostels to fix problems, including plumbing, electricity, flooring and repairing cracks.

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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.