SIPHELELE NKETO

KOKSTAD resident Zithembile Matshakeni (62), who has been living with disability, was forced to pack his bags and flee as enraged community members threatened to burn his house on March 3.

Apparently all he could take was his identity document, SASSA cards, blankets and the clothes he was wearing.

Matshakeni has been living in Kokstad since 2010. In the room he was renting in Shayamoya for three months, he said he heard the loud noise of the angry crowd shouting next to the window at around 9pm.

He said the crowd was demanding to see the house owner, claiming that the owner was linked to the disappearance of Lathitha Mtolo (7).

On that night, Kokstad was chaotic with several houses being burnt after a man was released due to insufficient evidence linking him to Lathitha Mtolo’s disappearance.

According to Matshakeni, the only thing he could hear from the crowd on that night was that they would burn the house with whoever was inside. He said he stepped outside and begged the crowd to allow him to leave him without killing him. He said he explained to the crowd that he was not linked to the implicated person.

Some people sympathised with him, and assisted him to take his blankets.

He said he watched the house being set alight, adding that he had to sleep with the neighbours who also feared for their lives.

Matshakeni lost all his clothes except the ones he was wearing. He has been seeking aid after the incident without any assistance. 

“I went to the municipality to seek help, but I was not assisted. All I need is a place to live and clothes,” he stated.

To offer your help, contact: 076 ‪581 8178.