Durban’s asbestos roofs must go

WHILE there are charges and arrests over the Free State asbestos replacement contract, we need to examine the issues in Durban as well.

It must be assumed that asbestos roof sheeting was going to be replaced with non- harmful and durable roofing.

Not too long ago, I spoke to the former mayor of the then- Isipingo town board, Dr MM Jadwat, who was my GP back in the day.

Dr Jadwat raised an interesting point regarding the asbestos roofs in the ethekwini Municipality.

This was a common roofing material in Orient Park, Lotus, Wentworth and umlazi especially, back in the 1960s and 1970s.

The suggestion was that the council needed to do an audit and thereafter start replacing the roofing materials with a more appropriate and climatedurable material.

Durban needs to do its own asbestos- clearing project. Let’s hope the proceeds don’t end up in some bling car dealer’s bank account. MUHAMMAD OMAR | Durban North