Vhembe mother appeals for help after house wall collapses
A mother and her four children are sleeping in one room after heavy rains caused a side wall of their home to collapse, leaving the house dangerously unsafe.
LIMPOPO – A mother of four from Tshimbupfe Ha-Mutheiwana village near Vuwani is appealing for urgent assistance after the side wall of her three-room house collapsed during heavy rainfall in the Vhembe area.
Khathutshelo Nemugumoni and her children were asleep when the incident occurred in the early hours last Monday. She said the family was awakened by a loud crashing sound and discovered that one of the house’s side walls had given way.
Although no one was injured, the family remains at risk as the house has since become structurally unsafe. Large cracks have developed in the remaining walls, and damp conditions have caused mould to spread inside the rooms.
Nemugumoni said the family has no alternative accommodation and is forced to continue living in the damaged house.
“We are trapped in this house. As a mother, I can see that it is dangerous to stay here, but we have nowhere else to go. We are now sleeping in one room. We really need help,” she said.
Senior traditional leader Thovhele Advocate Tshedza Netshimbupfe described the incident as heartbreaking and called on both government and the public to assist. “I am deeply hurt by this tragedy caused by the heavy rainfall. This family is facing serious hardship. I appeal to kind-hearted residents and government leaders to extend compassion and support to this stranded family,” he said. Netshimbupfe also urged community members to assist with basic necessities, including temporary shelter and food, in the spirit of unity and solidarity.
Heavy rains have continued to affect several parts of Vhembe, leaving many families vulnerable to flooding and structural damage to their homes.
