Everyday since last Wednesday 87-year-old Sikhombana Mchunu from Wembezi C-Section has been making his way to the Estcourt News office. The elderly man told his story to an Estcourt News reporter last week and returned every day to find out if there was any progress.

His diligence is admired but then again this sprightly man, whose demeanour belies his age, has had to live in a dilapidated home for months on end and has had time and patience as uneasy bedfellows. Mr Mchunu explains that his mud house in Wembezi was pounded by the elements years ago. Since then he has been at the mercy of rain, sun, wind and snow.

In July 2013 Mr Mchunu says that a government official, during a roadshow, promised to build him a home. Delighted was how he felt, envisioning that he wouldn’t spend many more days cooped up in a room with a leaking roof and draughty windows. But weeks lengthened into months and soon months came and went before Mr Mchunu realised that the promise of a new house could be on ice for now.

Last Wednesday the elderly resident said he’d wanted answers to his questions and decided to approach the media to seek these answers. “No one has helped me to build my home. “It has been raining inside the house and my belongings are soaking wet. Rats have started to come inside my house because of the damp and the holes. The government official said that the municipality would have to build a house for me because I am very poor but nothing has happened,” said Mr Mchunu.

He shows the holes on his shirt and jacket, which have been eaten by rats. “I have tried to cover the roof with plastic but the wind blew it away. I can’t even sleep properly. I need help. I wish that the municipality could come and see my house,” said a disappointed Mr Mchunu. His concerns have been relayed to Umtshezi Municipality, a response is forthcoming.