Hopeless family needs proper shelter
Ga-Molepane
Hopeless family of two in Ga-Molepane under Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality (MLM) is pleading with the public, politicians and entrepreneurs to build them a proper house to restore their dignity.
A pensioner Frans Ramaepadi (80) lives with his unemployed grandchild Alec Mashilo in a one roomed house that leaks badly during rainy seasons.
According to Alec Mashilo, two years ago the government provided them with a shack as a means of “disaster management”, and later constructed a foundation on which an RDP house was to be built.
The state in which the shack was when it was given was not conducive for living, but the Ramaepadi family had no problem since they thought that it was temporary until they get a new RDP house.
“The RDP house in incomplete, and when we ask why, we are told that the contractor was paid to complete it, and we should enquire with him to why the house was not complete” said Mashilo.
“We attempted to engage with MLM officials several times and they said they will contact the contractor, but nothing has materialised since.” Added Mashilo.
He said they even handed over a memorandum of demand to the municipality pleading that they treat this issue with the seriousness it deserves.
Alec said his grandfather called him after a heavy rain last week “When I arrived I nearly cried because water was all over the house. This house is a disaster. When you are outside you can see what is inside and when you are inside you clearly see outside, and I don’t mean through the windows, I mean through the walls”.
Mashilo blames the ANC for infringing the constitutional rights of the Ramaepadi family.
Adding some party members once come to inspect the situations, and promised to do something about it, but to this day nothing has happened.
“No one asks for this family. No one tries to help. They are living as if they’re dead,” explained Alec.
“I don’t think ANC in Luthile house (ANC headquarters) would be happy to see the condition in which the public lives in, because this is embarrassment,” said Alec.
He said: “We are pleading with everyone who can help in building this family a proper shelter, to visit them and provide them with the help they need, they are the Ramaepadi family in Ga-Molepane”.