Democratic Alliance Gauteng Shadow MEC for Human Settlements, Mervyn Cirota, said the party demands the immediate inclusion of Madala Hostel into the Hostel Redevelopment Programme to address the appalling living conditions in the hostel. The party’s call comes after a fire that destroyed the upper floor of the Alexandra hostel on September 2.

The blaze, which left nine residents homeless, has reignited long-standing concerns about the condition of hostels across Gauteng. For the DA, the incident is further proof that government delays are putting lives at risk.

Read more: The city is working to accommodate Madala Hostel fire victims

Cirota said the Democratic Alliance will now table a motion in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature to compel the provincial government to incorporate all 65 hostels into the Provincial Hostel Redevelopment Programme. The initiative aims to convert outdated hostel infrastructure into habitable family units with access to basic services.

Cirota noted that the provincial government has dismissed previous calls for Madala’s inclusion, arguing that the hostel falls under the jurisdiction of the City of Johannesburg. “Are Premier Lesufi and MEC Tasneem Motara waiting for a disaster of epic proportions before finally incorporating Madala Hostel into the Hostel Redevelopment Programme? And why is MEC Motara today inspecting inner-city hostels through her Siyeza Nakuwe initiative, instead of first visiting Madala following the fire?”

Also read: Residents reel after fire destroys multiple rooms at Madala Hostel

In response to questions from Alex News, the spokesperson of the Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Terry-Ann van Eck, confirmed that Madala, Helen Joseph Women’s Hostel, and Nobuhle Hostel are all city-owned. “We are not reluctant to upgrade Madala Hostel. However, the current Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) regulations do not allow us to intervene directly in city-owned properties,” she said, noting that the R500m allocated for hostel upgrades is reserved for six provincially owned hostels.

Van Eck further shared that Madala Hostel has been included in a new city strategy to redevelop all municipal hostels. “The province will therefore be guided by the implementation plan set out by the city.”

MMC for Human Settlements, Mlungisi Mabaso, said the adoption of the plan by the council is a significant boost for the people living in the hostels and will allow the city to act swiftly in redeveloping the hostels.

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