Ward 51 councillor and businessman help Katlehong resident rebuild his home

Sleepless cold nights are over for 55-year-old Vusi Ndlovu, who lived in an unsafe shack without a roof and back cover metal.

This Katlehong resident from Nlapo Section finally got his comfortable and safer shack following a generous donation from a local businessman and Ward 51 councillor.

His plea for a shack donation was replied to a few days after Kathorus MAIL informed Ward 51 Clr Lumka Poki about his situation.

Ndlovu said he used to cry because of his situation but what happened in the past days showed him that there are still people who care about others.

He thanked private investigator Tabo Buzwa and Kathorus MAIL for bringing his situation to light.

“If it was not for Kathorus Mail none of this would’ve happened. I would also like to thank the councillor for personally coming as well as the businessman she brought to assist. May they continue to help others.”

Poki said she was called by a reporter informing her of Ndlovu’s situation. She called some of the businessmen around the area.

“When I went to the house, I assessed the situation and took pictures. I could see that no one can live in a place like that.

“It was very bad with no roof and no back metal – it was just open. I could only imagine the worst case scenario, if it rains. That would be very bad for him.

She said after contacting businesspeople and Ward 51 street committee members, they responded immediately.

“However, there are other stakeholders that we had to involve because Ndlovu does not have an ID and we needed to reach out to the Department of Social Development.

“We also asked Ndlovu to open a case, because there is an element of abuse in his story, so we do not find this new shack vandalised. The case has been registered and is now in the hands of the police,” said Poki.

The Department of Social Development also visited Ndlovu to hand over food hampers, blankets and two sleeping sponges.

Buzwa said he observed how Ndlovu hardly sat with people for long. After his house was vandalised, he would move to sit alone at Hlwatswayo ground.

“I once went to talk to him asking why he was sitting alone. He replied with tears that he could see the sun is about to set and does not know where he will sleep,” Buzwa continued.

“As a private investigator I promised him that I will try to assist him. That is when I called Kathorus MAIL,” said Buzwa.

He said he also took him to the police station to open a case after social workers cited it should be reported.

“At first police refused to open the case. I called in the captain and tried to show them the nature of the case because they cannot see his sufferings but I can,” he said.

Katlehong North SAPS media liaison officer Sbusiso Mazibuko confirmed that cases of housebreaking and theft were registered.

Background

The 55-year-old lived in a shack at his home which he shares with his younger brother who lives in the main house.

Ndlovu is the eldest grandchild in the family and the pair are the only remaining members at the family house after other family members passed away.

He said his shack was destroyed by his younger brother who is feeding his drug addiction.

His furniture was stolen along with roofing metals and was sold by his brother with whom they share the yard.

Ndlovu can no longer work. He lost his ability to work two years ago after he was attacked and shot twice on his left shoulder during the taxi violence after the launch of a new taxi rank in Tsietsi, Katlehong.