Phokoane family struggles while MLM delays RDP house delivery
GA-MAILA SEGOLO – The Phokoane family from Ga-Maila Segolo Village, Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality , is living a desperate life after their home was destroyed by a mysterious fire three years ago.
The family is still living in a makeshift iron‑sheet shelter, accusing the Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality and Ward 23 Councillor, David Maduana, of neglecting their plea for an RDP house.
Lucas Phaahla Phokoane, his wife, and their eight children, a family of ten, have been surviving below the poverty line with no steady employment.
Speaking to Sekhukhune Times, Phokoane recounted the night of the blaze. “I was out at a funeral, and my wife and children were also not home. When I returned, I saw a big flame that later destroyed the house. Everything was burned to the ground, clothes, furniture, everything,” he said.
Since then, the family has been living in a makeshift shelter built from old iron sheets. “We don’t have privacy at all. It is very difficult,” Phokoane said. The roof leaks heavily during rain, and they can’t afford to build a new house as they rely on social grants for survival.
Despite previous assurances that her RDP house was approved by the MLM, the family’s plea for a new house has gone unanswered. “Last year we received a message that our house was approved but was never built. The councillor is giving us a cold shoulder when we confront him. Other people’s RDP houses were built, but I was left out from the beneficiaries. It is very difficult for live under this situation,” he added.
The family is urging local authorities to intervene and provide them with proper housing and support.
Community leader, Elvis Ratau, condemned the situation, stating: “It’s painful and unacceptable how the Phokoane family is being treated. They deserve a proper home, yet the municipality has turned a blind eye.”
He also highlighted broader service‑delivery issues, noting: “What’s worse is that Ga-Maila Segolo has no electricity, no drinkable water, this is a result of poor service delivery.”
MLM Ward 23 Councillor David Maduana said the Phokoane family RDP house issue has been reported to the MLM Disaster Management Office and is now receiving attention. However, the affected family remains dissatisfied with the ongoing delay in resolution.
In related to poor service delivery issues, Maduana said there is no poor service delivery in the area and households currently without electricity are simply awaiting post‑connection work.
However, Maduana’s claims have met with opposition, as community leader Ratau disputed the statement, arguing that the situation reflects deeper service‑delivery shortcomings.
