Council says DA uses ‘cheap politicking’
'It is unfair for a party to cry foul and seek reprieve from the newspapers when their motion did not stood the test as per the agreed standing orders'
SECUNDA – The DA reckons the Govan Mbeki Municipality is exposing Secunda residents to asbestos hazards.
This comes after the municipality had voted against a motion by the DA to remove large deposits of asbestos sheeting left near a region where there are several welfare organisations, schools, day care centres and churches.
A fire broke out in this area earlier this year and the asbestos was left behind.
The DA immediately had subsequent meetings with members of the mayoral committee and the fire department during which they confirmed that the asbestos must be taken away.
The municipality apparently would do it since disposal is controlled by legislation, however, nothing has been done.
The DA tabled a motion at a recent council sitting in accordance with Section 17.2 of the Govan Mbeki municipal standing orders that the council instruct the municipal manager to immediately remove the asbestos sheeting in accordance with the Asbestos Regulation 31(1)(2)(3)(4) and 11(1)(2) and National Environmental Management Act 28(1),(2) and (3) and report the incident to the inspector of the Department of Labour and Director General.
“The ANC used their majority at the council sitting to shut down the DA’s motion, hence putting the lives of the community at risk,” said Mr Pierre Bosch, the DA’s Chief Whip for Govan Mbeki Municipality.
“Asbestos that is exposed to fire or extreme heat can become brittle and breakable, or friable.
“Apart from age, which can turn asbestos from a safely encased substance into a dangerous and exposed one, fire is a threat to public health well beyond what damage flames and heat can produce.
“In the cast of asbestos fibers, fire increases the likelihood that they will be released into the air.
“Once airborne, these tiny fibers are able to be inhaled or ingested by residents, emergency workers or cleanup workers, laying the groundwork for asbestosis or mesothelioma cancer, an aggressive cancer affecting the membrane lining of the lungs and abdomen.”
He said the asbestos sheeting is a very serious health hazard to the employees and children who work and attend schools in the immediate vicinity.
“The asbestos sheeting can also cause considerable water pollution in the environment.”
According to the South African Department of Labour Asbestos Regulations (No 155 OF 2002), an employer or self-employed individual is prohibited from carrying out work that will put any person at risk from asbestos exposure.
The regulation also requires that, where the asbestos forms part of a building, plant or premises, steps must be taken to ensure that the asbestos is identified and that potential exposure of any person to the fibres is prevented or adequately controlled.
“Goven Mbeki Muncipiality is fully and completely aware of the asbestos problem in the municipal area and the protocol for its proper disposal,” said Mr Bosch.
“Asbestos is expensive to dispose of and cannot be done locally.
“The closest asbestos disposal facility is in Gauteng.
“Surely, a municipality which goes to such lengths as to run an awareness campaign should ensure that the areas within its boundaries are safe and clear of asbestos.”
The DA will write to the MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) in order to have the asbestos removed immediately.
“Schools and churches should be safe areas for our children.”
* The head of marketing and communications of Govan Mbeki Municipality, Mr Henry Masango, said: “Standing orders and procedures in a municipal council are adopted by all political parties at the beginning of each political term.
“The agenda of the council is thus standard and matters cannot be smuggled through without following the set processes.
“Therefore it is unfair for a party to cry foul and seek reprieve from the newspapers when their motion did not stood the test as per the agreed standing orders.
“The recent ranting by the DA is but cheap politicking wherein they piggy pick issues to drum up sensations and unfortunately have platforms like newspapers to peddle their distortions.”
The newspaper asked Mr Masango why the municipality has voted against the DA’s motion and whether the municipality is going to remove the safety hazard, but he did not comment.
