KwaThema resident lives in fear of dilapidated house falling on him

KwaThema – Veli Hlatshwayo says he lives in constant fear of his house falling on him.

The house, which according to ward councillor Thulani Simelane was built on a spring, has holes and cracks.

“There are holes in the wall through which rats come in. All the walls have cracks, which makes me live in fear of the house falling on me at any time,” explains Hlatshwayo.

He says he has been reporting the house for years and feels he is not being taken seriously by the ward councillor.

ALSO READ:

Man stabbed during house robbery in Payneville

Simelane says he is aware of the house, which is one of three in the street that has this problem.

“The issue with that specific house is that it is currently registered under the name of his late mother and such, he and his sister need to decide whose name they want to register the house under. This will make it easier for the Department of Human Settlements to help them,” says Simelane.

Simelane added he gave Hlatshwayo taxi money to go to the Department of Human Settlements offices in Johannesburg to change the name on the house dead.

Hlatshwayo says: “The councillor did give me R80 to go to Johannesburg, but when I got there they needed R80 to change the ownership and I did not have it,” he explains.

Simelane also added residents who were experiencing this problem had been built a temporary shelter in their yards to use while waiting for the department to allocate funds for the repairs of the house.

Hlatshwayo says the shack was built in his yard and it is being used by his 17-year-old son.

“My son lives in the shack because it is too small for all my belongings to fit.

“The shack also floods when it rains,” he continues.

Simelane says he has not been notified of the flooding shack.

Hlatshwayo says he will appreciate any help from the community and local businesses to repair his home.

He can be contacted through the African Reporter on 011 812 4800.