Pastor throws disabled couple out in the rain

A DISABLED couple slept outside in the rain on Wednesday night after a church pastor forcibly evicted them from their home.

Phumza Makeleni, 45, walks with a crutch, and her husband Andile, 48, is in a wheelchair and has had three dysfunctional limbs since he was five. They are from Ndevana near King William’s Town.

They have been in dispute with pastor Bonginkosi Thwalani and his followers since they moved into the shack in 2008.

Thwalani and his wife Xoliswa were unavailable for comment. When the Dispatch called Xoliswa, she hung up and further attempts went to voicemail.

More than 20 community members spent Wednesday night with the couple in solidarity.

Their furniture, thrown out of the shack – apparently by the sheriff on Wednesday – was strewn on the ground. Their goods were collected in four piles and covered with black plastic. Some items were broken.

Social development MEC Nancy Sihlwayi arrived yesterday and offered the couple a place of safety while the matter was being resolved with the relevant departments.

The Makelenis say they bought the house for R1 500.

“The church has no right to call a sheriff to come throw our things out and lock us out of our home. This is our site. The church’s site is a different site number.

“Ever since we moved in here we have had problems with them.

“They mock the way I walk and speak, they call me all sorts of ugly names and swear at us. I feel very sad that so-called people of God can do this to people who are already struggling,” Phumza said.

The couple’s home is metres from the church and she said they even allowed the church to install a pit toilet in front of her doorstep for church-goers to use.

Community members who came out to support the couple were outraged at the eviction yesterday when the Dispatch visited the site.

They made a fire and offered blankets to the destitute pair, who have decided not to take shelter elsewhere as they don’t want to lose access to their home.

One neighbour, Thando Xotongo, 34, said: “We all slept outside last night [Wednesday] because it is unacceptable that two disabled people were put out like that.

“Andile could not go anywhere other than stay close to the shack because he is bound to his wheelchair. It’s very disturbing.” Andile said he was heartbroken. “I feel very bad, violated and abused. It is painful that the people of God’s house took advantage of us like this.”

The previous owner, Pamela Konzapi, 31, said they’d had no problems with the church.

The church had built a cement foundation more than five years ago, but still operated from a shack.

Sihlwayi said the first order of business was to get the couple out of the cold, wet weather.

“It is so unfortunate that we were not notified about this before the church took this route of action.

“We need to take them to one of 61 places of safety in the Eastern Cape that is equipped with social workers. There is about R27-million allocated to disabled persons and they need to feel that they are part of this government and that we will take care of them. We have already prepared a place for them.” —