An unemployed, sick man was dealt a terrible blow when his mud hut was set alight by unknown arsonists last week.

Mr Azwinndini Ndou (37) of Tshitavha village, near Mavunde, is desperate because most of his belongings were destroyed by the fire.

Although he has an RDP house, Ndou says he kept his food and kitchen utensils in the separate mud hut. "Although I am very sick, I survive through piece jobs, because that is the only way to get some food. I have tried to apply for a disability grant, to no avail. I stay here alone and things are very tough for me."

Ndou said he had bought a bag of maize meal a day before the hut was burnt. "I have nothing to eat now, because of these hooligans who have torched my hut for nothing. I don’t have enemies and I don’t know why it happened this way. I did nothing wrong to anyone, but I’m surprised why they did it to me like this. The truth will one day come out and those who did this will be punished."

Ndou explains what happened during the fateful night. "I was asleep in my RDP house in the early hours of last Monday morning when I heard people screaming at my door. I heard someone calling my name loudly, requesting me to wake up."

He said he opened the door and he was greeted by the vicious fire which was consuming his thatched mud hut. "The fire was so fierce that we only watched as it destroyed everything in the hut. I would be happy to get assistance from community members, just to get some food to keep me going."

Insp Mashudu Madida of the Makuya SAPS told Mirror that police are investigating a case of arson, but no arrest had been made at the time of going to press.

Community members who would like to assist Ndou with food and clothing can call 072 351 0164 or 082 748 5375.