SEBOKENG. – “Asbestos roofing is another serious concern, posing a health hazard, a thorn in the flesh of hostel dwellers.”

The Chairperson of the Sebokeng Hostel Committee, William Mashiane has said that the time for waiting for asbestos roofing to be removed from their housing is long overdue. “The asbestos has lost its life span,” he said.

His statement was echoed by that of Motsamai Nhlapo, who is the branch Chairperson of SANCO in Ward 17. Nhlapo said that the residents encounter serious health problems especially after it has rained and in summer.

“There’s some drops of dust coming from the roof after it has rained and they later turn into black spots.  Sometimes one coughs non-stop” Nhlapo said that Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) Executive Mayor,  Gift Moerane is aware of their plight.

Community members said that they have been waiting for new houses, built within the hostels, since 1998.