Mother and child homeless in Chrisville

A 39-YEAR-OLD Chrisville woman, Tagmida Sapto, got the shock of her life when she was phoned to leave her father’s funeral and rush home because her ex-husband of 12 years had allegedly just sold the flat.

It is also alleged that they once shared the flat with people who now refuse to move out and who have allegedly burnt Tagmida’s belongings and assaulted her.

The COURIER was phoned by a tearful neighbour, Mari Briel, who burst out in tears and said that a woman and her one-year-and-eight-month-old child were living on the streets because the man who has been out of her life for over a decade had sold her flat and she was now sleeping in the street and her belongings were being burnt.

On arrival, the COURIER was taken to a skip bin where a man was found to be putting out a fire of things that were said to be Tagmida’s and another emotional woman who was saving an orange single couch which was said to be hers.

“These people who bought her flat are destroying this woman’s everything. They say they would never move out and blood would be shed if needs be. They do not care about the woman who has a baby that is suffering from pneumonia and is now sleeping on the streets.

“We are very disappointed with Clr Rashieda Landis because she did nothing to help and said there is nothing she can do. Booysens police also did nothing and said it is a domestic matter and she must go to court but this woman’s valuables are being burnt and she is being assaulted,” said an angry crowd.

The first time the COURIER arrived, Tagmida could not be found but she later explained she was out to see if she could ask for food for her child at Meals on Wheels although most people thought she might have gone out to ask for a place to bath at one of the petrol garages.

“My sister is a very proud and religious woman who would not want to ask for help from me or anyone in the community. That is why she slept on those staircases and I don’t even know what she could have eaten to this point,” said her sister Shanaaz Kenny (43).

Tagmida said she got married many years ago under customary law and she and her ex-husband had four children together before they split 12 years ago.

“This man has a family in Riverlea where I had gone to attend my father’s funeral. We both have our names on the lease for the flat but this is a council flat and he is not allowed to sell it, especially without my knowledge,” she said.

The other side of the story:

According to ward 56 DA Clr Rashieda Landis, “it is very sad when people make assumptions and conclusions but this flat has been in the spotlight for some time now. The father of the woman’s baby has on many occasions smashed things in the flat and even some of the people from Nola Court reported the couple for disturbing the peace. The council office would send letters of demand for repairs and then the ex-husband would have to deal with the whole thing. In fact, there were meetings organised with a council officer who told me that Tagmida did not want to listen to reason and to face her ex-husband so she walked out of the meeting.

“Unfortunately I cannot force anyone to sort out his or her life. The DA cannot be responsible for people who do not want to be responsible. I believe her ex-husband still cared and that is why he left her in that flat. But I sympathise with the woman and will facilitate that they get a resolution. The ex husband did not sell the flat. He let those people stay in the flat meanwhile as he tries to find a resolution to this whole thing.”

Police

“Booysens SAPS will assist and we are therefore asking the woman to come to the station and report the alleged assault and burning of her clothes. In respect to the flat, the ownership of the flat needs to be established. If the flat does belong to the council as stated, she needs to approach the councillor of the area and take the matter to the Tribunal Court for housing so that the matter can be addressed from their office as it is their property,” said communications officer Lorraine van Emmerik.

The police also added that council flats cannot be sold so if the flat was indeed sold as the crowd claimed, then it should be reported to the Housing Tribunal for more investigations to be done.

Where to now?

The COURIER will try to find the ex-husband to hear his side of the story and find out how the Housing Department, which is due to liaise with the COURIER, can assist the parties involved.

Meanwhile, Tagmida is said to have split up with her child’s father so if there is any person wishing to help, please contact Mari on 071 399 4445 or Noeleen on 071 821 8292.

The COURIER will follow this story in an attempt to facilitate all involved parties to get the assistance of the relevant authorities for a consensus to be achieved.