Staff Reporter
With elections fast approaching, political parties have reflected on the 25 years of democracy, blaming each other of not having the people’s interest at heart. Some of the failures of the government have been evident during service delivery protest across the Gauteng province in past weeks.
After 25 years of democracy, the government has not prioritised elderly citizen even when they are in their twilight days. A 100-year-old Dipabalo Mohedo has been living in a two-roomed shack with his wife and their orphaned grandchildren. Mohedo has been waiting for the RDP house for the past 22 years in vain.
Mohedo used to work on a farm in Balfour, but he had to leave at age 78 as the farmer said he could no longer stay for free on the property. That was in 1997.The couple lived for 15 years in a shack in Arla Park until they were moved to make way for an RDP housing project on the site. They went to live with their son, who died later.
His wife, Tsibande, says they were promised an RDP house once the project was completed. “The number of our house was 2455. We still have the papers. It’s only that we are now both unable to read due to failing eyesight.”
She says someone else moved into the house and the couple was promised another one. They went several times to the municipality but they were never helped.
GroundUp went to the house and the current occupant, Nonhlanhla Lizzy Mavimbela, says there must have been a mix-up. She lived in an informal settlement for 18 years before getting the house.
Mohedo can hardly talk, but when the subject of the RDP house comes up, tears roll down his cheeks. At the time the houses in Arla Park were completed he could still walk.
“There were rumours that some people’s houses were sold. Maybe me and my husband were easy prey because we are old and cannot fight for ourselves,” says Tsibande.
“It’s painful to realise that our house at 2455 was swallowed up just like that. We have been waiting for another house, but who knows if ever we will get it while we are still alive,” she says.
The couple next moved to Snake Park informal settlement where they live today. Mohedo relies heavily on his wife to look after him. She has to help him go outside the shack to use a plastic chemical toilet, arranged for them by other residents.
“Inside toilets and water are for people with real houses,” she says. At night they use a bucket.
The shack has no electricity. Other people in Snake Park have illegal connections, but Mohedo and Tsibande cannot afford the cost – about R300 a month.
