A 39-year-old woman from Robert Sinyoka, on the outskirts of Bulawayo is appealing for assistance to rebuild her house which was destroyed by a whirlwind in mid-April.
The woman is currently living with her four-year-old child in a shack which was put together with the help of community members.
Speaking to CITE, Nothando Mlalazi revealed that her house was already in a bad state when it was blown away by a whirlwind.
“My house was already in a bad state and the whirlwind just came and destroyed it all, even the wall shuttered during the incident,” said Mlalazi.
Mlalazi said her husband, who now lives in Pumula deserted her following an altercation.
She is also appealing for food aid and assistance with blankets.
“I am appealing for assistance in terms of food as I am on medication; at times getting food to eat is a challenge. I also need assistance with blankets and building material to construct at least a room,” said Mlalazi.
Meanwhile, Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) Chairperson for Ward 17, Mandlenkosi Gumunye, revealed that Mlalazi also suffers from seizures.
A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain which may cause changes in one’s behavior, movement, or feelings and in levels of consciousness.
“Mlalazi suffers from fits. She once fell into the fire while trying to cook and spent three months in hospital. She stays with her small child with no one to really look after them,” said Gumunye.
“She used to stay with her grandmother but unfortunately she passed away. Residents had to try to come together and help her to put together something where they can just sleep. We had to take some of the roofing sheets that were blown by the whirlwind and form a cabin but there is no door, she uses a sail to close,” he said.
Ward 17 Councilor, Sikhululekile Moyo said for those who would like to donate material could do so through her office in Pumula since Mlalazi does not have a phone.
“For cash transfers we are going to meet tomorrow with the ward leadership at Robert Sinyoka tomorrow to see how we can go about that, but for other things, material can be donated through my office number 11 Pumula Housing Office,” said Cllr Moyo.
