Man blames council for damaged house

KEABETSWE NEWEL
Correspondent | Monday November 15, 2010 00:00

Marumane visited The Monitor offices and revealed that had it not been for the inefficiency and negligence of the City Council he would still be living in the house which he rents from Amos Chube. 'The landlord registered to have the tree cut by the Council about three months ago, but they never came although we paid the Council to provide the service,' he said.

According to Marumane, the landlord decided not to cut the tree himself as he was concerned about the possibility of destroying the power lines and communication cables. The owner of the plot then decided to ask for assistance from Council, which is better equipped to handle such jobs.

Marumane's landlord, Amos Chube, confirms that he paid the Council to cut down the tree about three months ago and said he even visited them several times to remind them but they never showed up. He too blames the Council for the damages to the house.

To make matters worse, more than a week after the disaster, no assistance has been given to him. This is despite the fact that he has contacted the disaster committee as well as the City Council authorities. 

'The tree that fell on the house destroyed everything inside. I had several items of furniture that included a wardrobe, kitchen unit and table whose total cost is about P1,900. Everything was crushed to  pieces I lost a lot of foodstuff that were washed away by the rainwater,' he said in disappointment, adding that only wet clothes, blankets and a bed remained intact.

Although many people were assisted in various ways including the provision of foodstuffs, Marumane said he only received  a tent from the BDF. He said his entire grocery was washed away leaving him with nothing to eat. Nor does he have any money to replenish his pantry.

'I survive by visiting friends who are even getting fed up because I am costing them a lot by asking for food on a regular basis. I have contacted the area councillor but he said that assistance would come my way from the disaster committee but even today I am helpless,' Marumane revealed.

When contacted for comment, deputy mayor, Stanley Masalila, who is also the area councillor confirmed that Marumane had indicated to him that he needed some relief aid as he had not been assisted.

The councillor however said at the time Marumane called him he was out of town. 'Relief aid from the disaster committee is mainly tents and foodstuff and if Marumane had told the committee that he needed food as well, it could have been availed. As for requesting the council to cut the tree, it is not supposed to take a long time especially when payment has been effected,' Masalila said.

He however indicated that it depends on whether there were many people who had paid before him and were in the queue. Masalila concluded by saying he would make a representation to the District Commissioner on the matter.

Motlhatwsi Ntirang, a senior social welfare officer,  said Marumane's assistance was delayed because of miscommunication. She was speaking from Marumane's house where she was already assessing the damage.