A 71-year-old senior citizen, Mariah Raphulu from River Park cannot enter or leave her house by herself after the neighbour closed the entrance of her house.
Raphulu was forced to use an unsafe alternative entrance to her house after her neighbour allegedly illegally extended his house, closing access to the senior citizen’s house.
Raphulu who has been living in the area for more than 10 years said she has lost faith and trust in her ward councillor Irene Rugheimer and the City’s housing department who promised to resolve the issue almost two years ago.
“In 2017 our neighbour extended his house and closed the entrance leading to our house. We reported the matter to the ward councillor who promised to do something about it,” said Raphulu.
“We then escalated the matter and reported it to the housing department who sent two guys who came to inspect and promised to return with a solution. Until today we are still waiting to hear from them as promised.
“I have honestly lost hope and trust in our government system.”
According to her daughter Rapholo, the neighbour told them that he will not stop the extension of the house because he had bought the piece of land from the former ward councillor.
Ward 81 councillor Irene Rugheimer said the matter was still under investigation and the City was working with her and other affected councillors to resolve the issue of illegal building.
Related article:
