R500m hostel project half done but poor safety and overcrowding persist
'Our living conditions are now better but there is no safety. At night we hear gunshots, especially in summer,' said Majola. Having moved in five years ago after being told he could stay without paying rent, he now lives with four others in a unit with fixed windows, painted walls, tiles and running taps.
Another tenant, Khayalethu Mhlongo, said the changes have brightened the space. 'It used to be dark and scary but now the painting brings life. I can even do video calls to my siblings because it feels better,' he said.
He hopes future upgrades will include beds and kitchen stoves.
Residents say overcrowding remains a daily struggle. In one unit, six people live together with a makeshift shop operating inside the small space.
'It is a bit cleaner now but too many of us share one room. The shop helps me survive but this is not how a person should live,' said shop owner Thabo Khumalo.
The department aims to complete all refurbishments on the six hostels by May 2026 with monthly monitoring visits planned to keep work on track.
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