A Rabie Ridge resident is appealing to the community for help after a fire destroyed his home and left him living in difficult conditions for nearly three years.

Sipho Marumo, of 251 Tuinfluiter Street, said his life has never been the same since the fire gutted his three-room house while he was away. The cause of the blaze remains unknown.

When Marumo returned, he found nothing but ashes. Now, years later, he is still living in a makeshift shack patched together with discarded materials, struggling to cope with the harsh weather and hoping for a second chance.

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Speaking on April 8, Marumo said he not only needs help to rebuild his home but also support to overcome substance abuse and rebuild his life.

“This situation affects me a lot. When it rains, water comes into the shack because it is not properly built. I do not live the way I used to live,” said Marumo.

“I really do not know how the community can help me anymore because I have lost hope. I do not even have an identity document; it was burnt in the fire. We have tried to ask for help from the councillor, and she said she would assist, but nothing happened for three years.

“I am willing to quit drugs, but sometimes it starts with the conditions you are living in.”

His uncle, Lawrence Kgomo, said the situation has placed an emotional burden on him as he tries to care for Marumo, who has no parents. Kgomo said he has remained by his nephew’s side despite facing his own struggles.

“It affects me deeply because Sipho does not have parents. I have my own home, but I cannot leave him like this and go back there while he is suffering,” said Kgomo. “I do not even know where to start after what happened here. I am not working, and I am only going on an old grant pension in June.

“I am pleading with anyone who can help. For three years, this boy has had nothing: no proper food, no clothes, no decent shelter. Even the place he is staying in is not really a shack; it is just pieces of material we found and used to patch it together.

“If the community can help rebuild the house, even one brick at a time, it will make a difference. He also needs help to go to rehab or a centre where he can be rehabilitated.”

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Community members in the area said they have tried to assist where they can, but the scale of the problem requires broader support.

Neighbour Jasmine Wilson said rehabilitation would be an important first step in helping Marumo regain stability. She added that residents often worry about his safety, especially during rainy weather when his temporary shelter becomes even more vulnerable.

Another neighbour, George Henry, said several attempts had been made to seek assistance from relevant authorities, but nothing had materialised. “In terms of support, this guy has got nothing. I do not want to lie,” said Henry.

“His uncle filled in forms for relief through Sassa and also the Department of Human Settlements, because we understand that they sometimes assist with temporary shelters or rebuilding support.

“The councillor came after the house burnt down, but after that, there were no follow-ups. Nothing happened. The house just continued to deteriorate.

@caxtonjoburgnorth Years after a fire destroyed his house, Sipho Marumo is still trying to survive in unsafe and heartbreaking conditions. Video: Comfort Makhanya #caxtonlocalmedia #johannesburg #newsupdate #Communitynews #2026 #Localnews #Midrand ♬ original sound Caxton Joburg North

“I also reached out again because this is an old case now, and I felt it needed attention. That is why I wanted this story to be told, because this is a human being’s life. I live nearby, and I see his condition every day. It has really become a serious problem.”

Residents said any form of assistance, including building materials, clothing, food parcels, bedding, and access to rehabilitation services, could help Marumo begin rebuilding his life.

Community members or organisations willing to assist Sipho Marumo can contact George Henry on 071 318 0146.

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