Disabled man fetches water with a bucket tied to his crutches.
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| Simon Chonco has to walk for an hour on crutches to fetch water from the river. Photo: Ntombi Mbomvu/ Groundup |
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Pietermaritzburg resident has little hope elections will change his plight.
To fetch water, Simon Chonco has to tie a 20 litre container to his
crutches with wire and walk for an hour to the river. He voted in the
municipal elections, but has little hope that his pleas for a house with
running water and electricity will be heard.
Chonco, 59, lives in Egoqweni in ward 11, of Msunduzi municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.
Chonco can’t speak properly and sometimes cannot not hear at all. He
writes down what he wants to say. He is epileptic and walks with
crutches.
He lives alone in a one-roomed metal shack, far from other residents.
His single room has a bed with a pile of blankets, a bench, and several
empty water containers. The floor is dusty.
He says he has been living in Egoqweni for six years.
Chonco voted in the August 3 elections, but not for the ANC
councillor Sipho Madonda. Madonda, the sitting councillor whose
candidature was marked by controversy, won with 77.45% of the votes
cast, down from 88.7% in 2011.
Chonco has no faith that Madonda will change his living conditions.
“He has not been of help to me since I have been a resident. We have
no water and no electricity. I want a better house but because he is
never available I’m clueless about what to do in order for me to get a
proper house. I survive through the mercy of my neighbours.”
“I can’t walk, I use crutches. The same crutches help me when I have
to fetch water from the river that is far away from my house. The reason
I voted for another party is because I’m hoping it will bring change.
My ward councillor is useless,” said Chonco.
One of Chonco’s neighbours who asked not to be named said neighbours had spoken to Madonda about Chonco’s plight.
“As neighbours we have called him and told him about the situation
but he never cares. I’m one of the people who have voted but I didn’t
vote for the ANC. I voted for another party because we were hoping that
if it wins, that is a message to the ANC to pull up its socks,” said the
resident.
“All I want is a better house, access to water and electricity,” said Chonco.
Madonda told GroundUp he would ensure that there would be development
in Egoqweni. “Nhlazatshe location is being prioritised. Water,
electricity and roads will be the infrastructure that is put first in
that location. As a resident of that location, Chonco will benefit
accordingly,” said Madonda.
By Ntombi Mbomvu/Groundup
South Africa Today – South Africa News
