Duduza – A family in Bluegum View, Ward 86, woke to a flooded shack on Friday morning after the heavy rains.
The family was shocked to see that the water was not from either side of the shack but seeping from the ground.
Sthembile Mahlinda said she had to go out to collect cement bricks for children to walk on as they had to prepare for school.
“We even had to open a side of the shack so the water could come out,” said Mahlinda.
Mahlinda and her brother Vusi Mahlaba live in a shack which belonged to their late father who had applied for government housing back in the early 80s.
A DA PR councillor deployed in Duduza, Patricia Mathebula visited the family on Wednesday.
Mathebula said she is grateful Disaster Emergency Management Services swiftly responded to the issue.
“I will speak to some MPLs as housing is a provincial issue to see how far the process of the house is.
“Social development has also promised to come to visit the family,” Mathebula said.
Also in the area, a pensioner’s house was flooded, which reportedly always happens during rainy seasons.
David Ngwenya (75) said, “I stay with my four children, two are still at school, one is a nyaope addict and one works part-time jobs.”
Ngwenya said it is difficult for them during rainy seasons as the yard and the house get flooded making it difficult for them to move.
Ngwenya’s house is a corner house and rainwater dams up as the street is not tarred and there are no stormwater drains in the area.
Mathebula said she’ll raise this issue with relevant parties.
Those who would like to assist the family in any way may contact Mathebula on 081 521 9164 or a ward committee member responsible for the health and social development sector, Clement Khumalo on 061 880 8004 for calls or 081 318 3254 for WhatApp.
