Gogo Ellen Ngwenya (74) of Zulu Street Lynnville, had the misfortunes of having her shacks burned twice.
Gogo Ngwenya settled in her place in 1985. Between 2002 and 2003 her five-bedroom shack burned and that was the start of her many problems. The cause of the fire remained a mystery.
She said the then Cllr Kaizer Mabena promised that an RDP house would be built in her yard, and he was accompanied by a member of the ward committee.
After Cllr Mabena’s term was up, she had difficult trying to have the house built.
“I was sent from pillar to post without getting any help and the new councillor could not help me either. They told me many stories at the city council, when I went to inquire about the promised house. They told me that it was a long process but in the end, I was not helped. Another issue that also troubled me is that I was told to pay for the fire engines when they came to put out the fire in my shack. I now could not retrieve the receipts after my shack burned for the second time. I was told to apply for a RDP house again.”
Gogo Ngwenya said she is struggling with her children and grandchildren. He daughter said they always come to take her away during winter, as the present shack is too small for all of them.
Her title deed also burned during the fire as well as her ID. Gogo Ngwenya has been issued with a smart card ID and hopes now she will be able to have an RDP house build for her.
“During the night it is a struggle getting to sleep. We sleep everywhere with my grandchildren. What did I do to deserve this?” asked Gogo Ngwenya.
Gogo Ngwenya said she is making arrangements with Cllr Thabo Mnisi to sort out the problem. She said that she was hopeful that for once people would keep to their promises.
