ELDERLY residents of Silwerkroon are still waiting for a lift after being without one since June of this year.
The RECORD has been working on this story for months and have done several follow-ups, but these people have still had no joy despite promises of repairs to complete replacement and every time, the story (and when it can be expected to be completed), changes.
Several independents and companies specialising in lifts have come forward to offer to fix the lift free of charge and one company even offered to maintain it for one full year, all at absolutely no charge.
The City of Ekurhuleni has come back with ‘objections’ such as insurance issues, etc, even though said companies were willing to sign any waivers or other forms to take full responsibility.
To fix or not to fix
Not only did they refuse to take any of these lift specialists up on their offer to repair and maintain the lift at no charge, thereby dragging out the suffering of the elderly at Silwerkroon, but they opted for the most expensive option of completely replacing the lift (which was meant to be completed by November).
“Much to our surprise, on our latest visit on November 29, we discovered that the city had removed the motor to recondition it, leaving us to wonder what suddenly changed and how long it would actually take.
“I am highly frustrated at the inefficiency of the City of Ekurhuleni, allowing the elderly and infirm to remain prisoners in their apartments for more than six months and making them promises that lifts would be repaired by July … then August … then November and now probably by December. I sincerely hope that this will come to pass and that the elderly residents will be able to spend Christmas with the dignity they deserve,” said alderman Bruna Haipel, ward councillor in Alberton.
Silwerkroon deteriorating
Several residents spoke to the RECORD saying that the City’s service at Silwerkroon is bad in general, stating issues like the caretaker never being around, broken windows not repaired for long periods of time, workers leaving by 11am, even though they should be working until 4pm, floors that haven’t been washed in five years, windows that are never cleaned, workers from the City using their washing machines and more.
The RECORD has contacted the City of Ekurhuleni for comment, but we had not received any reply by the time of publishing.
“Let us hope that this issue gets resolved soon as many of these elderly residents make use of walkers and wheelchairs and others still are obviously not very mobile because of bad joints due to age and should not have to suffer in such a fashion,” said Haipel.
Also Read:
Silverkroon lift will be replaced in November
The elderly still forced to brave the stairs
No relief for stranded Silwerkroon residents
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