House burnt down in 2014 still not repaired
According to Radebe, the bond was fully paid to the then United Bank, which now falls under Absa bank.
Mirriam Nokuthutha Radebe (64) from Siluma View, Katlehong, has been staying in a house that caught fire since 2014.
Radebe lives with her brother, who is epileptic. The house used to belong to Radebe’s father, but it is now in her brother’s name.
Radebe said: “I’ve exhausted all options. I’ve been going up and down trying to get help from the metro to fix the house, but I was told that it can’t be fixed since it’s a bond house.”
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According to Radebe, the bond was fully paid to the then United Bank, which now falls under Absa bank.
Ewald Kellerman, head of risk management for Absa Home Loans, said: “The Amalgamated Banks of South Africa (Absa) was formed through the unification of United, Allied and Volkskas banks and certain Sage interests. During this union, most home loans and other accounts that were previously held with these banks were integrated into Absa.
“Generally speaking, banks require clients to insure fixed assets like property as a prerequisite for obtaining a home loan. However, after the bond is paid off, this requirement falls away. Nevertheless, we strongly encourage all home owners to ensure they have sufficient insurance even after their house is paid off – this applies to the property as well as its contents.
“Once the bond is paid off, it becomes the owner’s prerogative to have the property insured. If a property owner decides not to insure the house, there would be no payout in the unfortunate event of fire damage to the house. We urge all consumers to insure their assets, even after it is paid off.”
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Kathorus MAIL also tried seeking answers from the metro. Metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe said: “All issues relating to burnt-down houses are dealt with through an indigent policy. The policy requires that the owner of the property must be registered as an indigent with the metro. The metro can only intervene if the owner is a registered indigent.”
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