Jackson needs help
“When it rains, the first thing that comes to my mind is how my colleague will sleep.”
LEANDRA – Mr Jackson Mmolotsi (72) lives in terrible conditions in his down-at-heel shack.
The shack has holes at the sides and also in its roof.
The furniture, including his bed, has been badly damaged by rain water.
Mr Mmolotsi is the deputy chairman of the Zamelabadala Elderly Centre.
Mr Muziayifani Myeka, resident, said the community tried to involve the ward councillors in order to get Mr Mmolotsi an RDP house, but his marital status is complicating the process.
Mr Mmolotsi is married to a woman who already has an RDP house, but she lets her own children live in it and moved to live with Mr Mmolotsi.
When the Ridge Times arrived at Mr Mmolotsi’s shack, it was neat and clean and his wife was washing his clothes.
She said she did not know that getting married to Mr Mmolotsi would have him disqualified from getting benefits, such as an RDP house.
She further mentioned it is not possible for them to live with her children in the RDP.
Mr Jabulani Nkosi, a coordinator at Zamelabadala, said they are saddened by the conditions in which one of their members has to live in.
“When it rains, the first thing that comes to my mind is wondering how my colleague will sleep.
“One day I woke up early in the morning after it had rained and It found him scooping up water in his house with a bucket.
“I do not understand how this country can allow its elderly to go through such an ordeal.
“Who is protecting the rights of the elderly?” asked Mr Nkosi.
He urged businesses to help Mr Mmolotsi get a decent house or a better shack.
Mr Sanele Nkabinde, ward councillor, went to Govan Mbeki Municipality to find out if there is anything they can do to help Mr Mmolotsi.Promises were made that he will follow up on.
