Julia Fikile Vilakazi is a 75-year-old woman living in Ezakheni C2 Section who fears for her life, as she feels she is not safe from the coronavirus (Covid-19) or prowling criminals in the area.
This elderly lady says she is”living under pitiful conditions”. Mrs Vilakazi also suffers from a disability; her hands shake constantly.
A Ladysmith Gazette journalist visited the Vilakazi family in Ezakheni, only to find that there is a gaping hole in the roof that allows the cold in, with no protection against the elements. The Gazette journalist found the family of five sitting outside in the sun, complaining about hunger and feeling stranded. “Our house has been like this since last year November, as it was damaged in a hailstorm. Our ward councillor, Thulisile Mchunu, is aware of the situation, as she visited us last year after we were hit by the hailstorm. She took pictures of our damaged house and the following day, Alfred Duma Local Municipality deployed workers to give us ‘plastics’ to cover our clothes. To date the councillor has not come back to assist us with anything,” said Ntombifuthi Zondo, who is Julia’s grandchild.
Ntombifuthi continued that if it rains, they work the whole night cleaning up the house.
Someone has tried to get into the house through the hole in the roof, but the women screamed and shouted and scared the man away. They now fear that they could be easily raped, as the roof presents easy access for criminals. “During this time, we have never received any food parcels. We are very hungry, as none of us are employed.”
Also read: Suspected hit-man arrested in Ezakheni
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