Couple helped after house burnt to ashes

DONATIONS have been pouring in for the elderly East London couple who lost their newly built RDP house to a fire caused by faulty electric connections.

Earlier this week, couple Nokwayintombi Meqe, 59, and Magama Zaci, 72, watched their house in Newlife Reeston township burn to ashes, Buffalo City Metro fire department inspector Jerome Naidoo said.

All the couple’s belongings were lost with home appliances and furniture valued at an estimated R25 000 burnt to ashes.

After the Dispatch reported on the incident community members, readers and the police have donated blankets to the family.

Resident Sibabalwe Tyulu said a few people had visited the couple after the incident.

Tyulu said the family was now temporarily living in a neighbour’s house until a new temporary house is provided.

“The department of human settlements said they will build a bungalow next to the burnt house as a temporary placement,” said Tyulu.

Meqe’s daughter Nandipha, said the human settlements department told them the bungalow house would be built on Monday and said concerns to revamp the burnt house were not discussed.

She however was also concerned about the family’s loss of personal belongings, including identity documents and financial documents.

“No one has said anything about the loss of our personal belongings. The electricity was built by the government so it’s clear that they are the cause of the whole incident,” she said.

Buffalo City Metro spokesman Samkelo Ngwenya said they did not know when the family would get their house rebuilt.

“The advice one can give is that the family must be in touch with their ward councillor and our housing department,” said Ngwenya.

Ward councillor Nokulunga Matiwane said she would consult her ward committee about the family’s situation.

Matiwane said she had alerted BCM’s disaster department about providing the family with food.

“So far I don’t know anything about the family receiving a new house but I will follow up on it. I will visit the family and also hear what their needs are.

“We have been successful in providing temporary housing and food for them in the community.” —