Local man desperately needs a house

The pensioner stays alone in a one-room house which he is scared might collapse at any moment. Seshai told the Herald that when it is windy his roof is shaky. “I am afraid that the house can fall down at any time especially with the upcoming rains. I do not sleep when it rains and on windy days because I am scared,” he said.

Seshai said part of his house caved in last year due to the heavy rains experienced leaving him with the one-room he stays in now. He said he has applied for an RDP house but before he could sign the documents he suffered a stroke. However, he recovered and applied again and even got a visit from a committee member on behalf of Ward 1 councillor, Vincent Mangoro.

“The person took photos of the house and promised to assist but even now I am still waiting,” he said.

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He said he has lost hope in getting the RDP house because other people in his village are getting houses except him. The Herald contacted ward concillor, Mangoro, who acknowledged that he was aware of the matter. However, he said when the first 62 RDP houses were allocated, Seshai told them that he did not need an RDP house and refused to give his ID to the ward committee.

“When he finally applied we submitted his documents to the Limpopo Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) and we are still waiting for a response,” said Mangoro.

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CoGHSTA’s acting spokesperson, Mogale Tjebane, told the Herald that Seshai’s application status shows that it has been submitted to Portable Housing Benefit (PHB) for approval. Seshai said he can no longer wait for the RDP house and has pleaded with anyone who can help him to get a proper and safe house.

He denied refusing to be built an RDP house when the first batch was allocated. “How can I refuse when I do not have a house and cannot even afford to build one for myself. I can only afford to buy food and other necessities with my grant money,” he said.

Anyone willing to assist can contact Seshai on 060 670 2784 or send an email to journo2@herald.co.za