The Ekurhuleni Metro refuses to take responsibility for maintaining the elderly housing centres it owns to ensure that elderly residents do not have to live in dilapidated buildings.
This week, the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) conducted an oversight visit to the Andries Scribante Haven in Cason Street, Boksburg, to investigate whether the Metro had done any maintenance since the party’s request for urgent intervention.
On 31 July this year, the Freedom Front Plus confronted the Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Kgopelo Hollo, about the dilapidated apartment block and insisted that the Metro address serious structural issues. Approximately 200 elderly residents live in the centre’s 100 units.
Hollo confirmed in writing that sewerage issues at the centre had been resolved, but during its oversight visit, the party was informed that this is not the case. No other repair work has been carried out either.
For years the elderly residents, most of whom rely on small pensions, have been using their own money for maintenance.
At the moment, water is leaking from rusted pipes and sewage is even flowing into apartments. Walls are covered in mould, while wooden structures are waterlogged.
Structural decay is also at the order of the day, with ceilings peeling and crumbling. There are large cracks in the walls causing chunks of cement to fall out, while the bricks behind the plaster are also crumbling away.
The area around the centre is dangerous for elderly residents to navigate due to loose paving.
The health and well-being of Andries Scribante’s residents are at risk, therefore, the Freedom Front Plus will keep pressuring the Mayoral Committee Member to ensure that the centre is properly maintained.
If the Metro continues to ignore these requests, the party will lodge a complaint with the Human Rights Commission (HRC).
