Children live in chicken shed

Dlamini said she approached their newly-elected Member of Parliament (MP) as well, who donated food parcels but never returned.

She said she had lost hope completely that she would receive any assistance. Dlamini added that everything was damaged by the rains, including beds. A neighbour who raised the alarm, stated that they were not at peace knowing that someone was sleeping in the open with children. The neighbour mentioned that they did not have the funds to help her put up a proper permanent structure, but could only assist with food.

She pleaded with members of the public to help their neighbour.

Hhukwini MP Alec Lushaba said he was aware of the plight faced by the family.

Lushaba said he had approached the NDMA office after the incident, which left several other community members in a dire situation. He said assessments were conducted by the office. Asked if he was following up on whether the affected people received help, he said he last visited her when he gave her food.

The MP said it was unfortunate that the NDMA office only offered tarpaulins to the affected people, yet in Dlamini’s case, she was left with no roof over her head.

Lushaba said the case was among many others in the area and he could not cover everyone. He said his challenge in approaching companies for assistance was that they were also not performing well financially and were struggling. Lushaba stated that government did not have a programme in place for the reconstruction

of houses. “The DPM was trying such a programme, but it was not pronounced,” he added.

Furthermore, he stated that NDMA was also focusing on disaster and not reconstruction of houses.

Lushaba said they were appealing to government to consider assisting the victims of the August hailstorm as well, adding that focus seemed to be on the recent storm victims.

He said government needed to establish a fund that would look into the reconstruction of houses, especially considering the climate change effects.

Meanwhile, he said even those whose houses were burnt following the June 2021 unrest had not received any assistance to this day.

The Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Thuli Dladla, said her officers would be visiting the woman’s home to try and offer her immediate assistance.

An aerial view of the chicken shed which is occupied by Nonhlanhla and her 10-month-old baby boy. INSET: Some of the chickens which were found inside the shed.

(Pics: Sithembile Hlatshwayo) The family house belonging to Nonhlanhla Dlamini and her children which collapsed and had its roofing blown off during the hailstorms in August, 2023.

An area which has been set apart as a kitchen, where the family was found preparing food.