The NHBRC dispatches engineering and inspectorate team to disaster-hit Protea Glen

The NHBRC notes with great concern and sadness of the recent natural disaster in which a tornado plundered much of Protea Glen - Soweto, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. As a result of the disaster, numerous homes had their roofs lifted, walls falling and uprooted trees claimed the lives of two brothers. In response, the NHRBC today dispatched a team consisting of its engineering and home inspectors, in order to assess the damage and to inform a way forward to assist in the restoration of people's homes.

Speaking on-site at Protea Glen, the Acting Chief Executive Officer Shafeeq Abrahams assured the gathered community that the NHBRC will be conducting assessments of the spate of damage to the homes and present a report by the end of the week. "Firstly, we wish to convey our profound condolences to the families that lost their loved ones during this natural disaster. We will be working closely with all relevant spheres of government and affected communities in order to find collective solutions to alleviate the situation. These assessments will start immediately with a team of engineers and home inspectors already dispatched to the affected areas".

The National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) is an agency of the Department of Human Settlements responsible for the protection of housing consumers and the regulation of the home building industry. In order to ensure the consumers are protected, the NHBRC manages a Warranty Fund which covers any defects identified within the first five (5) years since completion of new homes. The Warranty Fund, however, does not cover natural disasters. Housing consumers contribute to the Fund through the enrolment fee payable by the NHBRC when registering their homes prior to construction.

Abrahams said: "As part of establishing all the facts, these assessments will focus on a number of issues including; the types and quality of building materials used to construct these homes, home builders/developers registration status, as well as adherence to our own inspection processes. Should we discover any wrongdoing from our employees and homebuilders, we will not hesitate to take appropriate remedial action and bring those in the wrong to account".

"In order to further assist home-owners, we encourage all affected home owners to lodge complaints with the NHBRC by downloading the forms from our website

(www.nhbrc.org.za), or by calling 0800 200 824 or 011 317 0440 for assistance.

"As an added measure, we will also dispatch our mobile office to the Protea Glen area in order to bring our service closer to the affected communities," concluded Abrahams.