When ever clouds gather over Alexandra, pensioner Nomathemba Mbengeza (73) looks to the gods for mercy.
Mbengeza’s modest life turned into hell two years ago when in the first rains, the flat roof on her house started leaking damaiging her furniture and other household items. She has lived in her house since 1991 and stays with her unemployed son Siyabulela Mbengeza (27).
Ever since, the leak has worsened and the rafters have curved in posing life threatening danger to them.
Siyabulela said whenever it rained someone had to be at the house. “I have to climb the roof to scoop off the water,” he said. “If I don’t, it leaks through the corrugated sheets and onto our furniture creating pools which damage the floors. My mother has had to replace wardrobes and sofas worth more than R7 000. In addition she incurs more expenses buying plastic sheets to protect the sofas, stove and washing machine.”
Councillor Shadrack Mkhonto has offered his support to Mbengeza. “I will contribute financially and solicit donation of roofing material from other well-wishers and companies,” Mkhonto said.
Mkhonto expressed concern that most houses in Alexandra had structural faults. ” If council was stringen,t many of them would not be approved as safe places for human habitation,” he added.
