(1) Based on information received from the Gauteng Provincial Department there is no money allocated to restore the roof of the Madala Hostel in Alexandra due to the fact that the structural integrity of the hostel structure was compromised during the fire. Because of the fire damage, no repair work will be undertaken on the hostel. An evaluation will be undertaken to establish the appropriate development to be undertaken on the site.
(2) (a) There is no amount budgeted for the repair of the roof of the hostel.
(b) There are currently no plans to repair the roof however the Province is looking at different options to permanently re-house the residents of the hostel.
(3) The entire M1 Madala Hostel Precinct is subject to the compilation of plan re-development. The proposal is to develop approximately 1 400 new housing opportunities on the existing hostel site and surrounding land and to demolish the current hostel structures as they are not suited to be converted. A new integrated human settlements project will be built within the hostel precinct and beyond to accommodate all hostel residents depending on their needs, where-after the current hostel structures will be incrementally demolished linked to the phased construction of new housing
(4) (a) The cost of upgrading the hostel will be based on an approved precinct plan for the area. The projected cost is currently estimated at R490 millions. The exact time-lines for the re-development of the hostel will be finalised once the plans are approved and will be linked to budget availability.
(b) The hostel residents affected have been temporarily resettled in a transit facility in Marlboro and will remain there until a permanent housing solution becomes available.