EASTERN Cape Human Settlements MEC, Nonceba Kontsiwe, has directed that immediate relief be provided to Zukiswa Ngalo (57) and her family, through the provision of a temporary shelter, while the process of building her a house unfolds.
Kontsiwe personally visited the destitute Ngalo family on August 3 to assess their poor living conditions after they were laid bare in the media recently.
Ngalo, who is bedridden after suffering a severe stroke in 2017 and currently lives in a dilapidated mud house with her two sons and two grandchildren, will be moved into a government-provided temporary shelter, after agreeing to the arrangement during her meeting with Kontsiwe.
“I can confirm that Kontsiwe, together with department officials, visited the Ngalo family on August 3, and an evaluation of her living conditions was done, confirmed Kontsiwe’s spokesperson, Yanga Funani.
“It was agreed that she will be moved from where she currently resides to a temporary structure while the process of building her a house starts.”
Funani further said a piece of land would be identified where government will build the house for Ngalo and her family, as the one she currently resides in, at Xhosana Street in Ngangelizwe, was registered under her parents’ name and someone may come back later and lay claim to it.
Ngalo has also received an outpouring of support since her poor living conditions came to light.
A wheelchair was donated to her by the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality, in partnership with the Department of Health, while civic organisations and individuals donated beds for her children, food parcels, blankets and other items.
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has also approved her application for a disability grant, as well as a grant in aid for her son, who is her caregiver.
