RDP house might collapse at any time
Ms Mthombeni fears that her RDP house might collapse because of cracks.
LEANDRA – Ms Rose Mthombeni’s (43) four room RDP house can collapse at any time.
The walls have large cracks that can be seen through, and the inside walls are not plastered.
The window frames are tied with wire to avoid them from falling out and the walls near the doors in the house also have cracks.
Ms Mthombeni said the house can be reduced to ruins with a soft push.
She said living in the house is very risky and she fears for her grandchildren’s lives.
“When I am at work, I am thinking about whether they are safe, especially when it rains.
“When it is raining water comes in and it feels as though we are living in a shack.
“I wish I could destroy this rubbish and build myself a proper house, but I cannot afford it.”
Ms Mthombeni said she has lost count of her complaints and the number of government officials who had visited her house.
She placed rocks and other heavy objects on the roof to prevent strong wind from blowing her house away.
Mr Henry Masango, head of Marketing and Communications, said: “Housing is a provincial and national competency, and the municipality is only responsible for the overseeing of the building regulations.
“In this instance, the provincial department of human settlement is being presented with a report detailing the structural defects and we await their action.
“Sometimes, this take a while to be finalised.
“A follow-up will again be made for the resolution of this matter.”
