Gogo stuck in shabby house after empty promises

IN THE aftermath of a devastating tornado that swept through Umzimkhulu in 2019, a 77-year-old Eunice Mpofana remains entangled in a cycle of broken promises from the local municipality.

- SIPHO JACK

Once a proud homeowner, Eunice now lives in a dilapidated asbestos structure, a haunting testament to the ongoing failure of disaster recovery efforts in her community.

When the tornado struck, Eunice's home was wiped out, leaving her with nothing but memories and a sparse metal frame for shelter.

"Immediately after the tornado hit, municipal officials came to my home and promised they would build me a proper house.

Instead, they erected this temporary asbestos structure, but I've been waiting ever since for them to return and fulfil their promise,"she recounted.

Her daughter, Phumeza, has witnessed her mother’s plight as they navigated what has been a long and painful process.

"They told her to register as a victim of the disaster, just like everyone else who lost their homes.