Mafefe residents demand action over asbestos health risks
The mineral from unrehabilitated mines in the nearby mountains gets washed into rivers when it rains
Residents of the Mafefe village, located outside of Lebowakgomo, are facing ongoing health issues due to asbestos exposure. The mineral from unrehabilitated mines in the nearby mountains is carried into rivers during rainfall. The mountains in the area were once home to several asbestos mines. The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has dispatched a team to investigate the situation.
A recent death linked to asbestos has intensified concerns about the health risks faced by Mafefe's residents, who have lived with contamination from abandoned mines for many years.
The villagers have urged the government to rehabilitate the mines. They request that the government return a rehabilitation company to assist in the closure of all asbestos-contaminated areas. While a borehole can help with water pollution, the villagers are unsure of how the government can address the issue of air pollution. A company attempted to rehabilitate the site by covering asbestos with soil, but during rainfall, the soil corrodes, releasing asbestos particles into the rivers.
Dr. Khangwelo Musetsho, CEO of Naledzi Environmental Consultants, emphasizes the need for rehabilitation in the region. He explains that asbestos deposits remain in the environment for an extended period, and individuals affected by it may exhibit symptoms after 30 to 60 years. Asbestosis, a deadly illness caused by asbestos exposure, is a significant concern. The asbestos deposits in Mafefe are present in the rocks in the area.
Written by urgent.news from SABC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
