HOUSES SINK, FALL AS RAIN CONTINUES

PIGG’S PEAK – Stick-and-mud houses are a cheaper alternative for accommodation but with the ongoing rainfall, many of these structures are falling.

At Mangwaneni, one of the townships under the Pigg’s Peak urban area, stick-and-mud structures are the most common forms of housing.
With the ongoing rainfall countrywide, most of these structures are now falling apart.

One of the occupants, Ntombi Mtetwa who is a person with a disability, and taking care of four minor children, is one of those whose houses have been affected.

Mtetwa said each day as the rain continues, her house tilts a few centimetres to one side.
She said if the rainfall continued in the next three days, the house could literally collapse.
Mtetwa also revealed that she also lived with her brother who was also with a disability.

Seeping

“Rainwater is seeping into his room and everything seems to be wet there including the bed,” said Mtetwa.
She said this was also the situation in her house such that she fears for the minor children.
Some of the residents did not want to speak on record as they did not own the structures but rent rooms.

*Musa, one of the residents said he was worried about his room falling because it was not only tilting but the floor was sinking on one side.  “Even my table shifted,” he said.

He said this was a sign that the area where the houses were built was also sinking and that people could be injured.
Some of the residents feared that the houses would collapse and injure them as they slept.
According to an online weather forecast for the Pigg’s Peak area, the rain will continue throughout the week.

Called for comment, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Pigg’s Peak Municipality Mzwandile Ndzinisa said Mangwaneni was at a transition stage.
He said this meant that in the past, people were given permits to built temporary structures by the district commissioner (DC).

Ndzinisa said the allocation of plots at Mangwaneni was to ensure that the area developed into a properly planned human settlement.
“Council has advised residents of Mangwaneni to build proper structures,” said Ndzinisa.

He said the council was aware of the existing stick-and-mud houses hence the continued civic education to encourage owners of temporary structures to upgrade them into brick and mortar.

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