No hope for homeless

THE struggle continues for the ‘family’ of Jackson Street as they have not had shelter since their house was destroyed by fire last June.

The house used to accommodate about 30 people – men, women and children – who lost everything, including identity documents.

Gabriel Nkabinde said all they want now are corrugated iron sheets so that they can build proper shacks for their families. “We do not know where to from here. Most of us do not work because we cannot find jobs. We cannot afford the identity documents cost,” he said.

A hall in Bellavista once sheltered these families. However, they were removed because the hall is used as a church and sometimes for community meetings too. “The councillor (Clr Rashieda Landis) once put us there temporarily. Now she said she cannot help us as we belong to a political party other than hers. She is a councillor and she is supposed to help all her residents despite our political affiliation,” said Mlungisi Mavundla.

Clr Landis said she is so tired of these people’s lies. “I never refused to assist them. I tried my level best to accommodate them. All the stakeholders went out there to help, even the other political parties and urban inspectors. My hands are tied. I cannot place them or find accommodation for them. This is a local government issue. I really and truly exhausted all avenues from my side,” she said.

Itumeleng Ntsoeng, a secretary of a political party in Ward 55, said he apologised for the inhumane way in which these people are living. “These people occupied privately owned land and they were given notices to vacate the place. Our hands are tied. We cannot help them as we do not have power. However, we will continue to look for alternative means to help” said Ntsoeng.

Also read:

https://www.citizen.co.za/southern-courier/65019/fire-destroys-home-in-jackson-street/

https://www.citizen.co.za/southern-courier/27290/kliprivier-drive-continues-deteriorate/