The cottages at Bedfordview Fire Station are getting a much needed clean-up after lack of maintenance left them in a semi-derelict state.
Seventeen of the units belong to the City of Ekurhuleni and three units to the SA National Roads Agency, according to the Germiston records.
Also read: Council approves land alienation framework
Ward 20 Clr Jill Humphreys said the cottages needed urgent attention as they had been badly neglected.
“The cottages were built over 20 years ago to accommodate firemen but labour laws have since changed. When the laws changed, the processes were not followed properly,” Humphreys said.
“Some of the people did not follow due process and would let and sublet the cottages, hence they ended up not being maintained.”
She said some of the cottages were abandoned while some had tenants but were not in a good state.
Also read: Bedfordview billboard woes continue
“The buildings are still good even though they are damaged. They just need a clean-up and to be maintained,” she said.
Ekurhuleni metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe said the clean-up was almost complete. They were only left with one house to which access had been denied, but the Real Estate Department (RED) was dealing with the matter.
When the units were built, Gadebe said, they were meant to accommodate emergency services personnel who worked long shifts.
“This has changed since the introduction of uniform working hours in terms of the Labour Relations Act.”
He said the Emergency Services Department had been responsible for the management and control of the cottages prior to their recent transfer to the Real Estate Department.
“Maintenance was done on an as-and-when required basis by submitting a works order requisition to Facilities Management Division, which in turn appointed service providers to effect the maintenance,” Gadebe explained.
“This process resulted in delays. Since the recent transfer of the cottages to RED, the management, control and maintenance lies within one department. The turnaround time will be shorter and the condition of the properties is expected to improve.”
Gadebe said an item addressing all council-let facilities, including the cottages, is currently being tabled before committees of council for consideration.
Whether the cottages will be leased out or sold after the clean-up can only be confirmed after the council resolution has been pronounced, he said.
For more news and interesting articles, like Bedfordview and Edenvale NEWS on Facebook or follow us on Twitter
