Asbestos roofs Not Replaced In Stellenbosch Municipal Housing

As per a news published on groundup.org,, it looks quite distressing to hear about the challenges faced by the residents of Rhode Street flats in Cloetesville, Stellenbosch, particularly concerning the deteriorating asbestos roofs and subsequent health risks. 


Asbestos roofs



The prolonged exposure to such conditions, compounded by delayed responses from the municipality, poses significant concerns for the residents' well-being.

Asbestos roofs, when damaged, can indeed lead to health hazards, potentially causing lung-related illnesses such as mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. The compromised roofs, allowing rainwater and potentially asbestos particles, pose immediate dangers to the residents' health and safety.

The municipality's acknowledgment of the situation and attempts to address it, although delayed due to funding issues with the previous contractor, do not alleviate the urgency of the situation. Residents like Mary Ann Rhode and her family, enduring damaged ceilings, flooding, and compromised living conditions, require immediate and effective solutions.

Swift and comprehensive actions to repair the damaged roofs, prioritize residents' safety, and mitigate health risks associated with asbestos exposure are imperative. Collaborative efforts between the municipality, contractors, and residents are necessary to urgently resolve these pressing issues and ensure a safe and habitable environment for the affected families.


When is Asbestos Dangerous? What's Asbestos Exposure Law?


Asbestos roofs Not Replaced In Stellenbosch Municipal Housing

Other tenants too have repeatedly contacted the municipality but have still not had their problems fixed, said Chris Januarie, a resident of the Rhode Street flats. Residents William Hendrikse and Magdalena Davids have been complaining to the municipality about their broken geysers for six months and over one year respectively.

“The geysers are some of the most common problems we have here in the flats,” said Januarie.

Hendrikse has been raising the issue of his broken bath. The lining in the bottom of the bath has cracked and now it won’t fill up properly. He has to use a bucket with water heated up over his stove to wash.

Grobelaar said the municipality had appointed a contractor to repair the flats but he had to pull out due to a lack of funds on his part, according to Grobelaar.

Supply chain management and the contracts management department are looking at the other bidders to appoint a new contractor, said Grobelaar. 

Once a new contractor is found repairs can begin immediately on the apartments. He said the asbestos roofing would be replaced with steel.

Douglas believes that the municipality should have already sorted out the problem of the asbestos in the roof.

“The municipality had two legal options to sort out the roofing,” said Douglas. They could have fixed it by sealing it, or completely replaced it.



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