The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is deeply concerned by the decay and deplorable condition of the Andries Scribante Haven in Boksburg.
This care facility, which was a safe haven for senior citizens for years, has turned into a symbol of the Ekurhuleni Metro’s failure to perform essential maintenance work.
The party has been involved with the centre for many years and has regularly lodged complaints with the Metro since 2021 to have the issues resolved.
The party recently met with the management and residents to listen to their concerns.
Residents are worried about burst water pipes causing damage to walls and cupboards. The buildings and gardens are dilapidated, and apartments are standing vacant while people are put on a waiting list for months.
Residents are also paying out of their own pockets for repairs that are the Metro’s responsibility.
They receive utility bills lacking a clear breakdown of electricity and water consumption.
The caretaker’s office is no longer functional, meaning there is no point of contact for reporting issues. There is also no forum for residents to raise questions, provide input or receive feedback.
Freedom Front Plus councillors in the Metro have personally stepped in to remove refuse and clean bins.
The Freedom Front Plus requested Ekurhuleni’s Departments of Housing and Finance to address the following:
* Unresolved service delivery issues
* Burst hot water pipes
* Billing and financial discrepancies
* Decay of the buildings and surrounding areas
* Election of block committees
* Restoration of the caretaker’s office
* A structured question-and-answer session for residents
The residents themselves have also requested that officials from the Department of Housing visit the centre to hear their complaints.
No feedback has been received. The offices of the Mayor, head of Housing and the Customer Relations Manager have also been contacted, but the requests have fallen on deaf ears.
The Freedom Front Plus now demands the following:
That this request be treated as extremely urgent and a meeting be scheduled immediately.
That a comprehensive plan of action be provided to residents within seven days.
That the relevant officials be held accountable for their negligence.
That the dignity and constitutional rights of the elderly be restored and protected.
Senior citizens do not deserve this kind of treatment. The Freedom Front Plus will not stand by while the elderly are left to fend for themselves.
The party will keep putting pressure on the Metro to resolve the issues at Andries Scribante Haven.
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