A Buffalo City Metro councillor and a number of housing officials are in hot water after they gave a blind Mdantsane man an old temporary shelter with no roof and broken windows, and then allegedly told him to fix it himself.
A disappointed Buyile Kwezi, 44, said he could not believe that after several months of making a special request for housing assistance, he would receive a shelter in such a poor condition.
He first made a housing request last year to ward 20 councillor Sizinzo Madikane, who told him he would process the request and organise a temporary structure for him in the meantime.
Kwezi, who has been blind since 2008, said he was unemployed and homeless.
He said he had been staying with a relative since 2013 but was no longer happy there as he was sometimes locked in the house.
On Saturday, the father of one was shocked when he was taken by neighbours to “feel” the damaged shelter that was delivered about three weeks ago, while he had been away.
“I waited for months for the temporary structure.
“I had gone to bury my uncle in the village in Alice and I was not here when it was delivered.
“I did however organise with one of my neighbours to have the structure delivered at his home,” Kwezi said.
Kwezi said he had received a call to say the shelter was being delivered.
“They told me about its state and told me that I would have to fix the damages myself.
“The one I spoke to even suggested that I buy Pollyfilla powder to fix the broken and cracked walls.”
Concerned residents and community leaders have since expressed shock and disgust at the way in which the matter was handled.
When the Daily Dispatch team visited the NU7 area yesterday, the structure was seen standing supported by building bricks.
The flooring, door, windows and walls of the structure were broken and covered with mould. There was no roof.
Contacted for comment, Madikane said he had not seen the shelter yet.
“I did not deliver it myself, the people who did are at the housing department.
“Ask them not me, ask why they delivered the shelter like that.
“I don’t provide shelters.
“I will check it in the evening and after that I will report it to the department,” Madikane said.
Kwezi said he had visited Madikane’s office on Tuesday and was promised that the councillor would inspect the damage.
“I don’t work, I survive on a social grant and I don’t understand how they can do this to me.
“I am even of the idea that they gave me this damaged structure because they know I am blind.
“Maybe my new shelter was given to someone else and I was given this old thing,” Kwezi said.
BCM housing portfolio head Nomiki Mgezi expressed shock at the news and said she would investigate the matter.
Phiwokuhle Soga from the department of human settlements said they had not received a request from BCM for a temporary shelter for Kwezi, and it had not come from them.
Blind man left in the cold
A disappointed Buyile Kwezi, 44, said he could not believe that after several months of making a special request for housing assistance, he would receive a shelter in such a poor condition.
He first made a housing request last year to ward 20 councillor Sizinzo Madikane, who told him he would process the request and organise a temporary structure for him in the meantime.
Kwezi, who has been blind since 2008, said he was unemployed and homeless.
He said he had been staying with a relative since 2013 but was no longer happy there as he was sometimes locked in the house.
On Saturday, the father of one was shocked when he was taken by neighbours to “feel” the damaged shelter that was delivered about three weeks ago, while he had been away.
“I waited for months for the temporary structure.
“I had gone to bury my uncle in the village in Alice and I was not here when it was delivered.
“I did however organise with one of my neighbours to have the structure delivered at his home,” Kwezi said.
Kwezi said he had received a call to say the shelter was being delivered.
“They told me about its state and told me that I would have to fix the damages myself.
“The one I spoke to even suggested that I buy Pollyfilla powder to fix the broken and cracked walls.”
Concerned residents and community leaders have since expressed shock and disgust at the way in which the matter was handled.
When the Daily Dispatch team visited the NU7 area yesterday, the structure was seen standing supported by building bricks.
The flooring, door, windows and walls of the structure were broken and covered with mould. There was no roof.
Contacted for comment, Madikane said he had not seen the shelter yet.
“I did not deliver it myself, the people who did are at the housing department.
“Ask them not me, ask why they delivered the shelter like that.
“I don’t provide shelters.
“I will check it in the evening and after that I will report it to the department,” Madikane said.
Kwezi said he had visited Madikane’s office on Tuesday and was promised that the councillor would inspect the damage.
“I don’t work, I survive on a social grant and I don’t understand how they can do this to me.
“I am even of the idea that they gave me this damaged structure because they know I am blind.
“Maybe my new shelter was given to someone else and I was given this old thing,” Kwezi said.
BCM housing portfolio head Nomiki Mgezi expressed shock at the news and said she would investigate the matter.
Phiwokuhle Soga from the department of human settlements said they had not received a request from BCM for a temporary shelter for Kwezi, and it had not come from them.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos