Failed by mayors after collapse

A WOMAN whose house collapsed at Mbambamecisi Section in Mawa Block 8 in Ward 2 of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality, accused Tzaneen mayor, Dikeledi Mmetle and Mopani mayor, Joshua Matlou of making empty promises.

This after the two municipalities told her that they would build an emergency house for her, but failed to do so.

Annah Mathonsi (48) said her problem started in November last year after her one-room mud house in which she lived with her two children, collapsed due to heavy rains.

She said she was provided a tent by the district municipality and they promised that she would have a new house built for her.

According to Mathonsi, her situation worsened after the tent was damaged by wind and forced her to leave the area to live with her parents in an overcrowded RDP house at Mawa Block 8.

Before she left to live at her mother’s place, she lived with her neighbours who then started to complain about overcrowding in their space.

Mathonsi told CV that she later went back to the Mopani District Disaster Management Centre to ask for a new tent, but was told she could not benefit twice.

She said also took steps to approach Matlou herself to ask for his intervention, and he promised he would assist her, a promise which later turned to dust.

Approached for comment, Matlou confirmed that he once spoke to Mathonsi, but said he had referred the matter to the Greater Tzaneen Municipality as housing provision is dealt with by local municipalities.

Meanwhile Tzaneen’s municipal spokesperson, Lovers Sibanda said municipal management was not aware of the situation, but promised that it would be attended to, now that they have the details of the matter.