Probe into asbestos classrooms at Chloorkop school under way

The DA has welcomed the investigation into asbestos classrooms at Chloorkop Primary School, on the East Rand.

According to the DA’s MP and Deputy Chief Whip in the National Assembly and Lethabong Constituency Head, Mike Waters, the Department of Labour will investigate the matter following a letter written by Waters to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

The classrooms in question were built by the education department more than five years ago as a result of classroom shortages at the school, Kempton Express reported.

“The legal team at the Department of Labour will investigate the failure of the Gauteng Department of Education to address the issue of asbestos classrooms at the Chloorkop Primary School. The DA welcomes this as a step towards addressing this longstanding health risk to both teachers and learners,” Waters said.

“This follows a letter that I wrote to the CEO of the SAHRC in September 2016. The letter was a written request, asking the commission to investigate the existence of asbestos classrooms and the subsequent health risk to both learners and teachers.”

The SAHRC has since furnished Waters with a report on the status of their ongoing investigation, in which it was revealed that the Department of Labour would investigate the matter.

“It’s time to see the health and safety of our teachers and children being made a priority. Learners and teachers need a safe healthy environment where children can reach their full potential without health risks.”

Asbestos is a mineral that is used to strengthen and fireproof various products found in buildings such as roofing shingles, floor tiles, ceiling materials, cement compounds and textile products. However, it is highly toxic and is linked to a number of lung and respiratory conditions such as mesothelioma cancer.

– Caxton News Service