A Bishop Lavis family’s house is falling apart due to cracks caused by a tree in their yard.
The cracks are so wide and deep that the family has resorted to stuffing newspapers and plastic in them to prevent wind and rain from coming in.
Ouma Christine Julius says: “We found the tree here 20 years ago when we moved into this house.
“The tree has its roots under our house and as it grows, it causes cracks in the wall.”
The family lives in a three-room semi-detached council house.
The 64-year-old says the water runs inside when it rains.
“The cracks are on the side of the bedroom and we had to remove the bed from the wall. It becomes so cold and unbearable for us as the family inside.”
Her grandson George says the tree was cut down after they complained that it is causing cracks at their house.
“After cutting it, they poured something like petrol and said the tree will eventually die. That has not happened. Instead, it is growing again.”
He says the municipal workers who were cutting the tree said for them to completely remove it, they would have to take down the wall.
“They could have done that and built the wall again rather than leaving us with a tree that is causing problems for us.”
Christine says she fears that the wall might collapse on them.
“The cracks are so big and we do not know when it might cave in.
“When there is a strong wind I fear that the wall might fall on us.”
She adds: “Unfortunately my husband died and we do not have the money to fix this ourselves.”
The City’s Recreation and Parks Department said they are looking into the matter and will respond as soon as they have the relevant information.