Poor living conditions irk residents

Dewetshof Old Age Home residents have stated that living conditions at the home are unacceptable for the amount they pay.

“We pay R230 per month to stay here and we buy our own electricity, but there is no comfort in this place,” one resident told the EXPRESS.

Another resident, Ms Deborah Belinfonte (66), has stayed at the Dewetshof Old Age Home for 10 years and said she has experienced the same problems for three years now.

“My roof is leaking and the toilet is not working. The carpets are rotten and the toilet basins are loose,” she said.

The elderly residents also raised concerns about safety at the home.

Many residents believe the home has become a target for criminals.

“The security locks don’t work, they are broken. I have asked the caretakers of the property to come and look at this place but they never arrive,” said Ms Belinfonte.

“Criminals break in here a lot. I have complained to the caretaker of this place but nothing has been done.”

Residents told the EXPRESS that the caretaker of the property does not look after the pensioners’ needs.

“He is hardly in the office. He came here once and looked at my place but never came back after that,” said Ms Belinfonte.

The EXPRESS contact the caretaker for the property who said he cannot respond to the allegations made by residents.

He referred the EXPRESS to the City of Joburg.

The EXPRESS sent a request for comment to Carina van Zyl from the Department of Social Development.

At time of going to print, no comment has been received.