MEDIA ALERT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ATT: REPORTERS, ASSIGNMENT EDITORS
10 December 2019
OR TAMBO TORNADO VICTIMS TO RECEIVE NEW HOMES
Mthatha ————–A big Christmas gift is in store for the families who were left injured, destitute and homeless by a devastating tornado on January 2017 in KSD Local Municipality. A total of 3 families whose houses are completed, will receive their newly built homes from the MEC of Human Settlements in the Eastern Cape, Nonkqubela Pieters, who will be accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Pamela Tshwete and OR Tambo District Municipality Mayor, Cllr Thokozile Sokhanyile, on 12 December 2019.
On January 2017, a devasting tornado left a trail of destruction in Ntokozweni Village which left 14 families homeless and even resulting to loss of life, with others severely injured. The EC Department of Human Settlements rallied with EC government to assist the families. Temporary shelters were erected to alleviate the pressure the families were under, with a commitment of a permanent solution. This is an ongoing project with construction of the other houses at various stages. R2,1 million funding was allocated for the Ntokozweni Destitute 14 Housing Project, which will benefit 14 families who were affected by the disaster in Ward 17.
Among the beneficiaries to receive their homes are the elderly, child headed families and disabled. Malibongwe Ngqundulo, whose mother was wheelchair bound and has since died during the construction process, will receive the home on behalf of the family. The other beneficiary is 79-year-old Nobungile Galeni, who lost her physically disabled son during the tornado. The other beneficiary is 28-year-old Yandisa Makaula, whose family was torn apart by the disaster forcing his younger siblings to live with relatives.
Members of the media are invited to the house handovers to be held as follows;
Date :12 December 2019
Venue :Ntokozweni Village
Time :10h00
Issued by Ministry of Human Settlements and OR Tambo District Municipality
Enquiries:
Spokesperson to MEC Nonkqubela Pieters – Mr Masiza Mazizi on 072 389 8609/ 076 804 4292
National Department of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation- Mr Tuso Zibula on 072 127 1565
OR Tambo District Municipality – Ms Zimkhita Macingwane on 067 180 2098