A Mdantsane family is having sleepless nights after a large tree fell onto their house last Friday and damaged the roof, walls and ceiling.
The tree – a large Norfolk pine that stood in the yard for nearly 40 years – fell over during a fierce wind, leaving the family of five fearing the house could collapse.
NU9 homeowner Nowase Magwashu told the Dispatch yesterday she was frustrated by the lack of help from their ward councillor and BCM’s disaster management unit.
However, BCM spokesman Thandy Matebese said the tree was located on private property and this made it the responsibility of the owner.
Magwashu said: “Everything happened so fast. I saw a big dark cloud and strong wind coming our way so I went out to collect the laundry and then I heard a big bang.
“When I turned around the tree had fallen onto our house and all I could do was cry from shock and fear.”
The tree also damaged her neighbour’s fence and guttering.
“We went to Buffalo City Metro’s NU6 municipal office to report the disaster and they rejected us and said disaster management was responsible. We called the disaster management unit and they promised to come on Friday but only came on Saturday afternoon.
“They took photos, gave me three plastic sheets and told me to cover the big open space caused by the damage. When I asked them to cover it for me they refused and said I must look for people to cover the roof for me. They promised to come back on Monday but they never did.”
When the Dispatch visited the family yesterday, the tree had still not been removed. However, concerned residents had helped cut branches on Wednesday, leaving just the trunk on the roof of the house.
Damage to the house included cracked walls, broken windows and a collapsed ceiling.
Melikhaya Magwashu, who also lives in the house, said he was concerned about the exposed electrical wires.
“The officials from disaster management said the house could fall at any time. They said we must not use the front or back doors but there is no other entrance.
“We have a child in the house who doesn’t understand why he cannot go to certain areas of the house. He forgets and if the ceiling and walls fall over he won’t survive,” he said.
“The section of the trunk that is lying across the house is extremely heavy and attempting to move it without the necessary equipment and expertise, which the municipality does not have, is likely to result in extensive damage.”
He said the occupants were warned to avoid the damaged rooms as the stability was uncertain.
“Senior officials from the fire brigade conducted a further assessment today and have once again referred the matter to environmental services for an opinion.”
None of the occupants is employed and they have no insurance. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
Tree crashes onto NU9 house
The tree – a large Norfolk pine that stood in the yard for nearly 40 years – fell over during a fierce wind, leaving the family of five fearing the house could collapse.
NU9 homeowner Nowase Magwashu told the Dispatch yesterday she was frustrated by the lack of help from their ward councillor and BCM’s disaster management unit.
However, BCM spokesman Thandy Matebese said the tree was located on private property and this made it the responsibility of the owner.
Magwashu said: “Everything happened so fast. I saw a big dark cloud and strong wind coming our way so I went out to collect the laundry and then I heard a big bang.
“When I turned around the tree had fallen onto our house and all I could do was cry from shock and fear.”
The tree also damaged her neighbour’s fence and guttering.
“We went to Buffalo City Metro’s NU6 municipal office to report the disaster and they rejected us and said disaster management was responsible. We called the disaster management unit and they promised to come on Friday but only came on Saturday afternoon.
“They took photos, gave me three plastic sheets and told me to cover the big open space caused by the damage. When I asked them to cover it for me they refused and said I must look for people to cover the roof for me. They promised to come back on Monday but they never did.”
When the Dispatch visited the family yesterday, the tree had still not been removed. However, concerned residents had helped cut branches on Wednesday, leaving just the trunk on the roof of the house.
Damage to the house included cracked walls, broken windows and a collapsed ceiling.
Melikhaya Magwashu, who also lives in the house, said he was concerned about the exposed electrical wires.
“The officials from disaster management said the house could fall at any time. They said we must not use the front or back doors but there is no other entrance.
“We have a child in the house who doesn’t understand why he cannot go to certain areas of the house. He forgets and if the ceiling and walls fall over he won’t survive,” he said.
“The section of the trunk that is lying across the house is extremely heavy and attempting to move it without the necessary equipment and expertise, which the municipality does not have, is likely to result in extensive damage.”
He said the occupants were warned to avoid the damaged rooms as the stability was uncertain.
“Senior officials from the fire brigade conducted a further assessment today and have once again referred the matter to environmental services for an opinion.”
None of the occupants is employed and they have no insurance. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
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