Bhisho department comes to aid of disabled couple evicted by clergyman

THE Eastern Cape department of social development has come to the rescue of a disabled couple kicked out of their shack by a cleric over the weekend.

Phumza Makeleni, 45, and her husband Andile, 48, spent the night in the rain last week after Pastor Bonginkosi Thwalani kicked them out of their shack in Ndevana near King William’s Town.

The department has since moved them to Enoch Sontonga Rehabilitation Centre in KWT.

Phumza who walks with crutches, and her wheelchairbound husband Andile have been in dispute with Thwalani and his followers since they moved into the shack in 2008.

The church claimed the plot on which the Makelenis built the shack belonged to the church.

The couple’s belongings and furniture, were apparently thrown out of the shack allegedly by the sheriff on Wednesday.

Their goods were collected in four piles and covered with black plastic bags and transported to the centre.

A neighbour, Thando Xotongo, 34, said: “The department of social development sent transport on Thursday evening around 5pm and took the couple to Enoch Sontonga rehabilitation centre.

“They were lucky enough to find a room at such short notice where they spent the weekend but we are not sure for how long they will be able to stay there.”

Xotongo said the couple’s dogs were taken to live with a relative but the shack remained locked.

“We are keeping an eye on the property to make sure no one damages it or gains entry until this matter is resolved.”

Social development spokesman Mzukisi Solani said the welfare of the couple was of utmost importance to the department.

“When we visited the couple (last week) we offered them a place of sanctuary which they accepted and are still currently staying at. Our biggest concern was to get them out of the wet and cold conditions and get them to a place of safety and in the interim of their stay, we would then be able to facilitate the process of restoration.”

He added that the couple’s belongings were being kept at a storage unit, some of which had been damaged during the eviction. — oreillya@timesmedia.