Written by: Sthabiso Mdledle

The Mzobe family in Mandawe, south coast of Durban is still stranded after losing their home to an unknown fire that left them with only the clothes in their back.

“We are still living with neighbors and relatives. We have no home. My children and brother are stranded as we wait for the RDP house that was promised to us by the ward councilor,”
said Ntombikayise Mzobe.

Mzobe said that Ward Councilor, Oscar Zama came to the scene after the fire and had promised to build a house for her family.

According to Mzobe, she sent her daughter to the municipal offices a week after the fire to inquire about the progress of their house; again the councilor had promised a fast progress on
the matter.

She said that months passed and she asked her daughter to call the councilor who responded as follows:

“I have sent a letter to the Department of Human Settlements requesting immediate assistance for your house. Your house is coming, it’s only that the progress is being delayed by human

Settlement but I assure that it will be the first priority as I have specified at the beginning,” said Zama on a phone call.

Mzobe added that it has been over eight months since the call was made by her daughter.

According the Mayor Councilor Siyabonga Khwela he only found out about the issue at the community meeting that was held recently at the Mandawe community hall after it was raised
by one of the concerned community members.

He recently told the reporter that he had no idea about what was happening and that no one told him about a family that needed a house after they lost their home in a fire.