Tshwane mayor Stevens Mokgalapa said old hostels in Mamelodi region 6 should be demolished as they are “not fit for human habitation”.
Mokgalapa made the remarks during a visit to the area on Tuesday.
The visit was part of the metro’s so-called “basic accelerated service delivery programme”.
“Conditions at the hostels are inhumane and we can no longer maintain them,” Mokgalapa said.
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“We need to come up with a plan to demolish them.”
He also said the hostel blocks were a “criminal hub”.
“Demolishing them should be a priority.”
He was accompanied by utility services MMC Abel Tau, head of service in region 6 Karen Meyer and various other MMCs and ward councillors in Eersterust and Mamelodi.
Region 6 is the largest region in Tshwane region with 24 wards.
As part of the visit, they helped fix potholes, cut overgrown grass and repaired street lights.
The oversight inspection covered Denneboom Mall, the A Re Yeng development, Nellmapius substation extension 22 as well as urban management projects in the area.
Tau interacted with informal traders at Denneboom Mall and discussed their everyday problems.
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“We are ensuring the city instils confidence in the public in terms of service delivery by creating much-needed services,” said Tau.
Mokgalapa also visited the Mamelodi west cemetery.
“I am happy to see how well maintained it is,” he said.
He described the graveyard as a national heritage site, because many stalwarts are buried there.
Project manager of the substation in Nellmapius Extension 22, Sejane Boyane, said the substation was complete and it was “expected to energise electricity in the next three weeks.”
Boyane said although the substation was already completed in 2010, the reason for the delay was that the contract was liquidated.
The Tshwane mayor and the MMCs ended their visit by promising to return to region 6.
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