E Cape family share trauma of leaving dilapidated house

Extreme poverty and lack of proper housing remains a major challenge for families in rural parts of the Eastern Cape.

The Mtshopi family from Port St. Johns has been living in a dilapidated mud house since 2013. Their home continues to collapse due to heavy rains that wreak havoc in the area every year.

Now homeless, the five members of the Mtshopi family are squatting with neighbours.

25-year-old Noluthando Mtshopi says they left their home as it was becoming a hazard.

“We lived in this mud house for over eleven years. We only left when that part of the house collapsed and when we saw it will collapse while we are inside. Local leaders asked our neighbour to take us in. All five of us moved in our neighbour’s RDP house. In total we are eleven in that house.”

Human Settlements spokesperson in the province, Yanga Funani says they are looking into the plight of this family.

“We have done an assessment on the lady and unfortunately there is no trace of her application in any of our projects. She has been recommended for temporary shelter. We will look for any space that may be available in a project to accommodate her or alternatively a contractor that will donate a house for her.”