TSHITANGANI - Since 27 houses of 10 families of Tshitangani Village were guttered by fire last October, life has been sour for the villagers, as there is no food or shelter.

An old man, Mr Samuel Ramagoma, was killed in the fire.

According to the residents, they experienced extreme hardships and suffering during the rainy season, and had to survive the bitterly cold weather without proper shelter. Traditional leader, Mr Reuben Rasikhinya said the ward councillor, Mr Alfred Nevondo, promised the villagers RDP houses. “The houses that were supposed to be built at Tshitangani Village have been moved to Madzwororo Village,” he said. “We don’t have electricity, access roads and clean water, but the village of the ward councillor, Tshiheni Mademeni, has been electrified,” said Mr Reuben Rasikhinya.

“Villagers contributed R120 per household for the installation of solar panels,” he said.

Mr Rasikhinya said learners are still attending school without school uniforms and books as all these have been destroyed in the fire. He added that the suspects in connection with the alleged arson were released.

Captain Ailwei Mushavhanamadi of the SAPS in the Vhembe District said he would investigate why those people are walking free.

At the time of going to press, the Thulamela municipality had not yet responded.