THE three young siblings were happy when a businessman promised to build them a new house.
Their old, dilapidated four-roomed house was demolished and the foundation was dug – but their new house was never built.
The siblings Koketso (23), Zanele (17) and Nonhlanhla (21) Mashego from Vaalbank near Siyabuswa in Mpumalanga are stuck in a rusty shack in the yard, surrounded by a pile of rubble and a trench.
“There’s no electricity or water, and we depend on our neighbour,” said Koketso.
He said when the house was demolished in November, the councillor said a donor would build a proper house.
“Now I am stuck in the shack with my sisters and my kids. There is no electricity or water and we depend on a neighbour.”
He said he has to share a single room with women.“We were told that construction of the house will start soon but five months later there’s nothing,” he said.
“I have to do odd jobs to support my siblings.”
Nonhlanhla said she was worried that they may end up getting sick because of the dust inside the shack.
“There is no floor and winter is coming. We are going to get cold. The shack doesn’t have a proper door. We sleep hoping we won’t be attacked,” she said.
Zanele said they have to bath before their brother comes back from hustling.
“Sometimes we’re forced to do everything in our brother’s presence,” she said.
They said their father left a long time ago and their mother left with another man.
Philip Malebe, the businessman who promised to build the house, told Daily Sun he still wants to build them the house but his financial situation is bad.
“I didn’t run away from them. Once I’m okay I’ll fulfil my promise. I have been buying them food. I have bought them six blankets to keep them warm.”
