Family raises concerns over unresolved property issues
The Sangwenis are worried what will happen to their home, now that their father is dead,
A 72 year old Melville resident, Bhekabantu Sangweni died recently, and his son Musa Sangweni is concerned about his father’s home, after Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) demanded that the family move to an alternative home, after they were hit by torrential rains in April and May, and in previous years too.
The Sangweni home was declared unsafe in case of heavy rains, however alternate accommodation would be a low cost house in the Marburg area.
The elder Sangweni refused to move from his home and was still awaiting legal advice on the matter, as he was uncertain on what will happen to his property.
RNM requested Sangweni to move or they would not assist him if his house is hit by another flood, citing the many incidents in previous years, as well as the April and May floods.
A few weeks before his death, Sangweni said his home, Lot No 119 Riverside Road was first hit by floods in 2000 and this was reported to the municipality, however it fell on deaf ears. He said his entire house was flooded. It was reported to RNM and he requested a grader to dig a path for the water to flow out of his yard and property, the municipality did not send one and he had to find a TLB himself.
Musa said the situation took a toll on his father and he fell ill after he was told he had to leave his home
The family said if RNM’s town planning department had done its job, they would not have allowed people to build in that area as it is on a flood plain, near the Khoswana River culvert.
“When it floods the culvert overflows, flowing into the road and into the neighbouring homes, including ours. The entire road floods and people cannot even get out from their homes.”
Musa said it’s sad that his father had to die without reaching a resolution on the matter.
“In 2019 and in 2020 meetings were held with the Department of Transport, RNM and a team of consultants, however to date nothing has came of it. Just after the recent floods, my father was told that the only solution would be for him to move to another area, into a low cost house which he refused.
“He said he will not leave his property which is worth over R500 000 and move into 48sqm house. His question was if he would be compensated for his loss?” Musa added.
He said he was never asked how he felt about this, and he felt robbed.
“My dad was not told what will happen to his property after he left. He did not know whether they planned to destroy it. We have never received anything from the Deeds Office to show that they were following the correct procedures,” he added.
He said before and after the floods they had not done anything for his father and now that he is is gone, he is yet to see what will happen to their home.
A query was sent to RNM, however no response was received at the time of going to press.
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