The owner of a financially constraint orphanage home in Bultfontein is faced with a possible eviction.

Earlier this week, Masethibe Ntsabo (59), owner of the Lerato Tshireletso Centre orphanage, was told that she has to pay R18 000 by the end of this month or find another place to stay. Speaking to OFM News, the owner of the property said he is still paying bond for the house which he rented to Ntsabo and Cecelia Thebesa who is the owner of the old age home.

OFM News previously reported that both elderly women rented the building for R6 000, with each expected to contribute R3 000 each month. The owner of the property said Ntsabo has fallen behind with an amount of R55 000, which is a huge burden because he is still paying the bank.

“We received the final notice yesterday from the bank to make outstanding payments as soon as possible. So if we can't get the outstanding balance paid by the end of the month they are going to repossess the property and go to litigation.”

Ntsabo had been renting the property for just over ten years before she was later joined by Thebesa as part of the deal to ease the burden of high rent.

The owner of the property said he had numerous offers from other potential tenants but he felt sorry for Ntsabo and the children. He has been hopeful Ntsabo will one day get sponsors which will allow her to pay the money she owes and buy the property.

OFM News previously reported that Ntsabo has never received funding since starting the orphanage home in 2003. Free State Department of Social Development said the centre is not registered and the owner has been advised on several occasions to comply with the legislation. Ntsabo said she started following the processes of getting proper documentation as advised by the department.

Concerned community members such as farmers and business people have since been contributing food and clothes to the orphanage. Mariet Venter who is one of the farmers helping at the centre for the past ten years said it has been a struggle to get sponsors.

Ntsabo said she would not give up on the orphanage because of the love she has for children. 

OFM News/ Kekeletso Mosebetsi