A DECEASED Alex man who remained in a government mortuary for over a month because of a housing dispute, has finally been laid to rest.
Sikhumbuzo Sikwambana of 16th Avenue, was buried this week at Waterval Cemetry, Midrand. He died of an illness on 2 September and couldn’t be buried because there was no venue to conduct his funeral rites. This after, Sikwambana sold the family house, which belongs to the council, to another man – without his family’s knowledge. The new occupier refused to allow Sikwambana’s family access to the house as he was worried about the cost of cleansing it after the funeral, and also possible conflicts in cultural practices.
Confirming the funeral, ward committee member, Nthabiseng Mwongo said the ceremony was conducted in the street and was followed by the burial. She added that with the funeral over, the city’s Department of Housing – which instructed the new occupier by letter, a copy of which this paper has. to vacate the house as the sale was illegal – would have to deal with the issue.
The letter instructed the new occupier to leave the house by 27 September. But he has refused and insists that he bought the property for R14 000 and has a signed affidavit stamped by the police to prove it.
Mediation attempts by the ward committee, Botho Bo Africa, and local councillor Monde Mbingeleli failed to resolve the matter.
Mbingeleli said the community expected the department to resolve the matter, adding that the resolution would also set a precedent and discourage illegal transfers and purchases which contribute to the housing woes in Alex.
Details: Councillor Monde Mbingeleli; 082 464 2946
