Huge relief for struggling Mutale granny

When Granny Johanna Phalanndwa (91) was promised a free house by Mutale Local Municipality, she was over the moon.

During that time, early 2011, the municipality also asked the granny to destroy her dilapidated three-roomed house she was sharing with her 12 grandchildren, so that they could build her a decent five-roomed house and she obliged. It was said that her house was not safe anymore.

"Before my son, Maandag Makovhadenga, passed away, he was building a three-roomed house for me. Unfortunately he passed on before it was complete. I also applied for an RDP house from the municipality for many years, with no success.”

According to her, the municipality promised her in 2011 that the house would be complete within a month. Bags of cement, concrete, sand and wires were delivered at her house. However, five years down the line, Phalanndwa is a broken person. "I have been played. The municipality fooled me. I never thought they can fool me like this. Now I am forced to share my one-roomed hut with my 12 grandchildren,” she said.

Municipal spokesperson Thiathu Ravhura also confirmed that they "instructed the granny to demolish her house with the promise to build her a decent house." However, Ravhura said the delay was a mistake by the contractor, who was busy building houses in Masisi.

In a turn of events, Moudy Mudzielwana of Tshikovha Environmental & Communication Consultancy promised to build a house for granny Phalanndwa after hearing of her plight on Phalaphala FM's programme, Tshiko. Mudzielwana said he decided to help the granny, so that she can enjoy life like other citizens with her grandchildren.

"As a business person, I am ploughing back into the community. I do not understand why it took so long for the municipality to build this house, but I am offering to help now," said Mudzielwana.

After hearing about Mudzielwana's offer, Granny Phalanndwa said she was without words. She said she was thankful to God that he had finally answered her prayers through the generosity of Mudzielwana. "It still feels like a dream. I am over the moon. May God bless this man," she said.

Wearing a green ANC T-shirt with Pres Jacob Zuma's face printed on it, Phalanndwa says she would not vote in the upcoming municipal elections because she was disappointed by the empty promises made by the local municipality.

Date:29 April 2016

By: Ndivhuwo Musetha

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