Elderly residents fed up with poor state of home
● Leaking toilets, broken doors and asbestos roof at Bethelsdorp facility
Uncut grass, leaking toilet pipes, broken doors and windows, and asbestos roof sheets are just some of the issues plaguing pensioners at the Bethelsdorp Old Age Home.
In a desperate bid to turn the situation around, a host of residents and community members gathered at the municipal-run facility in Adams Street yesterday to raise their concerns.
The spokesperson for residents at the old age home, Randall Abrahams, said besides maintenance issues, no rooms had been issued to new applicants over the last seven years despite there being rooms available.
“It is alleged that a box of applications has been found in a refuse bin and pensioners are up in arms as they fear they will now have to wait even longer as they have to reapply and might not even get a room.”
He said other concerns included a lack of support services.
“There is no caretaker to see to the maintenance of the buildings and yard, and no caregivers for any health issues,” Abrahams said.
“There are no grass-cutting services, no guttering or downpipes,
there are leaking toilet pipes, broken doors and locks, window panes, stays and catches.”
Abrahams said some pensioners had been waiting for placement since 2004.
The dilapidated state of the facility was evident during a visit yesterday.
Long grass waved in the wind and the garden was littered with cigarette butts.
Elderly residents had gathered
around a municipal official and voiced their discontent, highlighting rundown bathrooms, broken windows, and doors with malfunctioning locks.
One room showed signs of a recent fire while about 30 other rooms were empty.
Ruth Kannith, 67, said her name was put on the waiting list in 2011.
“For 12 years, I had to sleep on the streets,” Kannith said.
“They said I would get my keys today [yesterday], and I am happy about that, but why did it take so long?
“I am a citizen, a human being ... I am not an animal and I have followed the processes but waited very long.
“I think they’re dishing out keys today because of all the pressure.”
Kenneth Kamineth, 79, said he felt betrayed by the system.
“I didn’t ask questions when
I had to pay tax or VAT, and neither have I made them wait for it. So why should I wait?
“I applied in 2014 to stay at this old age home, it’s 2024 and I only got my keys today yesterday].
“During all these years that I waited, I lived with my daughter for a bit and then I had to find my own place, which cost R1,300. On top of that, I had to pay R240 for the lights and R200 for insurance.”
Kamineth said he only received R2,110 a month.
“Do the calculations, I then have nothing left if all my expenses are deducted.
“Nonetheless, I am grateful I got the keys today.
“God is good.” Municipal spokesperson Kupido Baron said a team would be visiting the facility yesterday afternoon.
“We are very concerned that the provision of housing to the
elderly is being hijacked for nefarious reasons.
“We will take a stern look at the unlawful occupation of housing units and the destruction of municipal property, [yesterday] afternoon, when locks were illegally broken at some of the housing units.
“Prior to the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality taking over the management of these facilities in 2016, residents decried their maltreatment and rundown living conditions.
“This resulted in the municipal council resolving to step in and provide solutions for the residents of the old age homes.
“To do this, we cannot allow bad actors to deliberately derail our process to make these facilities more comfortable and to restore the dignity of those living there.
“The maintenance of the facilities is ongoing and includes grass cutting,” Baron said.