An East London man who for 16 years has lived in a government-run care home with a crippling illness is begging authorities to build him a house.Vusumzi Hlophe, who was diagnosed with a form of spinal arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, at the age of 12, had both his legs amputated after developing bedsores.
Diagnosed in 1978 after severe pain in his right knee, Hlophe said this was followed by further pain in all the bones in his body.
An operation in 1987 relieved some of the pain in his hips, but hospitalisation in 2001 resulted in bedsores developing, leading to the amputations.
Able to get around in a wheelchair unaided, and to wash, feed and clothe himself, Hlophe said he dreamed of owning a house. “I couldn’t finish my schooling because of this condition.
“I only got as far as Grade 6 and by then I was too sick to continue,” Hlophe said yesterday from his hospice bed.
“Because I have no formal qualification or matric, all I’ve ever been able to get are odd jobs … This is all I’ve known my entire life but a house could mean a new beginning.
“I may not have legs or full control of the pain, but my mind is still intact. I am not that old. I can still do something with my life if I could just get the chance. Over the last 12 years, I must have spent over R6000 on airtime phoning various government departments to try and secure a house.”
Hlophe said he had applied for an RDP house in NU10, where both his siblings live.
Buffalo City Metro spokesman Thandy Matebese said an investigation into his application would be done.
Human settlements spokesman Lwandile Sicwetsha said his department had started a programme which prioritised the elderly, disabled, orphans and vulnerable citizens whose applications were processed quickly.
“We need something in writing detailing the person’s disability and an assessment is done to either prove the disability or to assess the extent of the disability.
“Perhaps they may need things like wheelchairs or furniture. In such cases we rope in other relevant departments or sponsors,” he said.
Hlophe, who has full use of both hands, said he hoped to one day open an Internet cafe and write a book.
“All I need is a big enough space, a computer and a printer.” — zisandan@dispatch.co.za
Double amputee dreams of new start in own home
Vusumzi Hlophe, who was diagnosed with a form of spinal arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, at the age of 12, had both his legs amputated after developing bedsores.
Diagnosed in 1978 after severe pain in his right knee, Hlophe said this was followed by further pain in all the bones in his body.
An operation in 1987 relieved some of the pain in his hips, but hospitalisation in 2001 resulted in bedsores developing, leading to the amputations.
Able to get around in a wheelchair unaided, and to wash, feed and clothe himself, Hlophe said he dreamed of owning a house. “I couldn’t finish my schooling because of this condition.
“I only got as far as Grade 6 and by then I was too sick to continue,” Hlophe said yesterday from his hospice bed.
“Because I have no formal qualification or matric, all I’ve ever been able to get are odd jobs … This is all I’ve known my entire life but a house could mean a new beginning.
“I may not have legs or full control of the pain, but my mind is still intact. I am not that old. I can still do something with my life if I could just get the chance. Over the last 12 years, I must have spent over R6000 on airtime phoning various government departments to try and secure a house.”
Hlophe said he had applied for an RDP house in NU10, where both his siblings live.
Buffalo City Metro spokesman Thandy Matebese said an investigation into his application would be done.
Human settlements spokesman Lwandile Sicwetsha said his department had started a programme which prioritised the elderly, disabled, orphans and vulnerable citizens whose applications were processed quickly.
“We need something in writing detailing the person’s disability and an assessment is done to either prove the disability or to assess the extent of the disability.
“Perhaps they may need things like wheelchairs or furniture. In such cases we rope in other relevant departments or sponsors,” he said.
Hlophe, who has full use of both hands, said he hoped to one day open an Internet cafe and write a book.
“All I need is a big enough space, a computer and a printer.” — zisandan@dispatch.co.za
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