Rain is a welcome occurrence for many people, but for some it only brings grief.
Sylvia Nthati (52) and her dependents have lived at 36 18th Avenue, Alexandra since 1962. She inherited the house after the death of her grandmother.
She lives with her two brothers Stephen (42) and Vincent Nthati (33), two children, George (33) and Lorraine Setshedi (30) and granddaughter Ouratile Setshedi (6).
The Nthati’s problem began in 2010 when the Alex Renewal Project (ARP) relocated her three neighbours to Ext 9 and promised to move her soon after but have not. Since then water, assumed to be from a broken underground water pipe, seeps into the house.
“This situation got worse in March 2013. I have reported the matter repeatedly to councillor Monde Mbingeleli who seems unable to help, and Joburg Water – who promised to refer it to Disaster Management at Emergency Management Services – has also done nothing,” Nthati lamented.
“When it rains our four rooms are totally flooded, we get shocked by [leaking electricity] and power trips leave us in darkness. We are forced to use blankets, mats, curtains and clothing to soak up the water, but often to no avail as the water just keeps oozing in through the wall.
“I have lost a bedroom suite, wardrobes and other furniture all worth more than R15 000. This is very distressing, especially when the government’s rallying call is a better life for all.”
Consoling Nthati was councillor Shadrack Mkhonto who urged council and the ARP to expedite its response to the residents’ problems.
“The ARP should fulfil its commitment to relocate Nthati and her dependants. If it doesn’t, it’s just a matter of time before her house collapses and deaths are reported,” said Mkhonto.
He pledged to petition appropriate committees in council or the mayor if the ARP and emergency management services did not attend to this ‘urgent’ matter.
Nthati is worried that she and her dependents may contract pneumonia from the damp floor, and to avoid this they wear plastic shoes to walk around in.
