Destitute woman sleeps in a toilet... and sometimes under a tree
FOR more than four years Maria Maphanga of Nyonganeh Trust, near Hazyview in Mpumalanga, has been sleeping in a toilet and sometimes under a tree.
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Maphanga's shack collapsed several years ago. She started sleeping in the toilet and under a tree in the un-fenced yard where she and her late live-in lover were staying.
"I have nothing. After the shack collapsed I started sleeping in the toilet and under a tree," she said.
Maphanga, who originally comes from Kgautswane in Limpopo, said she sometimes slept in her neighbours' homes and yards.
"Sometimes I feel as if I'm bothering people, so I sleep here," she says, pointing at the toilet.
"I do not have an ID so I do not get a grant. I would like to get help. I would be thankful and would accept any help. I am struggling."
Maphanga cannot remember when she was born nor does she know how old she is.
Some of her neighbours have raised concerns about her safety.
"Sometimes she refuses to sleep in my house. I give her food and water. It hurts to see her like this.
"I fear thugs and drunks will attack her," says a woman who usually helps Maphanga with a place to sleep.
Another neighbour, Thandi Mdluli, says they have spoken to local councillors but they have done nothing to help Maphanga.
"It is cold at night. The councillors know about her situation but are not helping her at all. All of us do not have houses but her case is a matter of life," Mdluli says.
"They must help her get a house. We have been waiting for too long for houses anyway."
Mpumalanga department of social development has since visited the woman.
Spokesman Ronnie Masilela tells Sowetan they will assist the destitute woman.
He says they will involve other government departments, including Home Affairs, the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) and the (Mbombela) municipality.
Meanwhile Lesley Nxumalo, a community member, says he is mobilising residents to build another shack for Maphanga and pleaded with people to assist her. - mashabas@sowetan.co.za
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Comments
Mellow
Mpumalanga department of social development has since visited the woman..............................................................................................................................
fck damnation!!! must they always act after being approched by media oohhh this Gov. is just full of crap period, only now they are willing to help the poor woman disgusting!!!
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lindsay
but why didn't she build another shack then, what happen to the material of the previous shack?Report Abuse
Limpopoist
SABC2 news 8H30 wenday night..... (SABC touching life)Sowetan : please report new news than repeating from other source
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cocolucho
@lindsayThats exactly what I was thinking, build another shack. Some people are just lazy, what does she do the whole day. Build yourself a shack!
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DeOvi
2day is friday sowetan we need 2day's news,n pls sowetan seach ur own stories dont do copy n paste.either way @lindsay and cocolucho u r ryt wer r the materials,xe xud hav used them,not only men can build.xe can also do dat with help 4rm neighbours.
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MrsMba
@Mellow good question, why is that everytime the newspaper or SABC has to show these things before our ''Precious Gov'' reacts. Let's hope this old lady gets help. @ Lindsay maybe she didnt have the material.Report Abuse
DeOvi
@MrsMba@Mellow good question, why is that everytime the newspaper or SABC has to show these things before our ''Precious Gov'' reacts. Let's hope this old lady gets help. @ Lindsay maybe she didnt have the material.
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where did the previous material go,the 1 dat colapsed???
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Sugaar
cocolucho@lindsay
Thats exactly what I was thinking, build another shack. Some people are just lazy, what does she do the whole day. Build yourself a shack!
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You can't blame this woman you know that most of San's women depends on men they can't even think for themselves,what they know is to open their legs finish and klaar.
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BaleliM
Ok, why is the community waiting for the Govt to do something for this woman. Is the community so heartless that they can not come together to help their own? Why do we always wants someone else to do something when we as a people are capable of helping. Be the change you want to see in others!!We need to stop this victim mentality and do something.
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Mmarena
Maphanga, who originally comes from Kgautswane in Limpopo, said she sometimes slept in her neighbours' homes and yards.***************************************************************************************************************
Anyone from Kgautswane can you assist to trace her relatives maybe?
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