SINCE her husband and son died in a shack fire last October, life has been hard for Esther Chauke.
The 52-year-old from Mamelodi East extension 11, Tshwane, told Daily Sun her husband Jimmy (65) and son Michael (12) were burnt beyond recognition when the eight-roomed shack went up in flames.
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Esther said she hoped the municipality would speed up the process of assigning her the RDP she applied for in 1996.
“After losing my husband and son in a horrible fire, I was ill for three months. I had terrible headaches and my whole body was in pain,” she said.
“I’m still going through counselling. It’s difficult to lose your other half and I can’t just easily forget it.”
Esther said she was struggling to support her three surviving children as she didn’t have a job.
“They didn’t deserve to die. I’m left alone and suffering without work or a permanent home.”
Esther said if there were no RDPs available, she’d take a permanent stand.
She said all she needed was a permanent place where she could start building a home for her family.
She appealed for donations of blankets, clothes, food and furniture.
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Her daughter-in-law, Promise Mathe, (22) said the family was suffering.
“We’re still hurt and haven’t healed since our family members died,” said Promise.
City of Tshwane spokesman Lindela Mashigo said there was an allocation backlog.
“Applicants have to be patient. They’ll receive houses subject to them qualifying and meeting the set criteria,” he said.
