Moyahabo Mabeba

Moyahabo Mabeba

For a family that has lived in a decayed shack for a long time the thought of moving to a proper house was very exciting.

But that was not the case for the Manamela family in Chebeng in Moletji area, Limpopo.

The Manamela family, who lived in a small corrugated iron house were thrilled when the province's local government and housing department told them they were getting an RDP house.

The foundation was laid in 2006 and the walls went up. Then, for almost two years, there was no progress.

Meanwhile, gravely ill Sophia Phutane, the mother, longed for a proper home.

When she died last week local councilors had to hastily arrange for the house to be completed before the funeral.

But the builders carried out very shoddy work.

Chuene Manamela, 30, the oldest sister who has now taken over her mother's duties, described their house as a "time bomb".

"It could collapse at any time and kill us all."

But department spokesman Clayson Monyela said inspectors would be sent to carry out a thorough investigation.