Pensioner’s housing woes continue
Bidla feels that the government is ignorant of the municipality's negligence
Pensioner Levina Qwabe’s home at Lot 1218 Brown Street in Margate has caused nothing but heartache for her.
Plans for the house were passed by the Hibiscus Coast Municipality in 1992, unfortunately the house was built on a flood plain.
Qwabe (82) feels that she was robbed of her money by both the municipality and the bank that approved the loan, knowing the risk of building on a slope bordering a river.
Over the years, the house has suffered landslides resulting in collapsed walls and a leaking roof during heavy rains, and in 1998 she was forced to move out.
Standing empty for so many years, the house has been vandalised. Window panes, flooring, ceilings and electrical cables have been removed.
She has been living with family ever since, and fighting to get help.
Hartley Bidla has been assisting Qwabe to find a solution to her housing problem.
Initially, it had been suggested that the elderly woman move into a low-cost house, as nothing could be done to fix her home.
Bidla said this was not a good recommendation, especially after Qwabe had invested a fortune in her home only to be moved to a small house worth less than what she had initially spent.
“I met with officials from the municipality on several occasions and was told that if she refused to move into the low-cost unit offered to her, nothing could be done to assist her further,” said Bidla.
He said he had written letters to former president, Jacob Zuma and President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene, however all his efforts were in vain.
“The least that the municipality and the bank can do is to compensate Qwabe for approving the house plans, knowing the risks of building on a flood plain.”
Bidla said this proves nothing but negligence from the municipality and from government for failing to intervene.
“I feel that the government of today is not in a position to look after its people, especially the elderly, however I do remain hopeful that one day the matter of Qwabe lands in the hands of someone who is responsible and who will be willing to assist her, after everyone else has failed,” said Bidla.
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