After more than a six-year wait, residents of Pauline Davis and Deneys Conradie have had news that their elevators are expected to be operational again by June.
The Ekurhuleni metro confirmed the lifts arrived at the Durban Port on September 5 and will be kept for two weeks for disinfection and customs clearance.
During the introduction of the contractors to the ward councillors on September 10, MMC for Human Settlements Lesiba Mpya said the contract for the installation of the lifts comes with one year’s free maintenance.
He said this will give the metro sufficient time to go out on tender or use contractors already on the metro’s supplier database to maintain the lifts thereafter.
Themba Gadebe, spokesperson of the metro, explained once the lifts are cleared they will be transported to the site.
“In the interim the contractors will start with site preparation and building of the backup generator plinth.”
Stephen Rajagopau, volunteer caretaker at Pauline Davis, said he is very skeptical when it comes to the repairs of the lifts as they have said they would fix those years ago and nothing has been done.
The City Times reported in 2018 that repairs on the lifts would begin in April that year and would be complete in about four to six months.
The lifts were not repaired at that time as the lift contract had expired and the deadline was missed. This was apparently according to the Ekurhuleni Department of Human Settlements project manager of the functional planning division, Phumzile Nyatlo.
Rajagopau added that having a working lift would help a lot of people living on the top floors as they battle to walk around with crutches.
“Not having a working lift was terrible as the ambulance had to sometimes carry patients down as they could not bring their medical equipment up,” he said.
Ward 73 councillor Sinethemba Matiwane said he is very happy, as this was a huge inconvenience for the elderly on the top floors in terms of mobility.
“Residents can also stop using the fire escape to go to their flat as this is very dangerous. It took a long time for the bureaucratic wheels to get into motions and the delay was unnecessary,” said Matiwane.
A resident, who chose to remain anonymous, said she is excited over the prospect of the lift working soon.
She has been living in the court for years and not being able to walk properly has made it hard for her to move around on a daily basis.
Matiwane added once the lifts are operational more people can move into the flats on the top floor.
“A lot of residents have moved out from the top floor as not everyone can walk up the stairs.”
Mpya said due to the age of some of these properties, it may be necessary to re-strengthen the shafts to make sure they are able to carry the weight of the lifts.
Rewiring will also be done to make sure the power supplied is in line with the technology fitted to the lifts.
In addition, said Mpya, the lift purchase agreement comes with a backup generator that will kick in when there is an interruption in the power supply.
“We want our residents, especially the elders, to be able to use the lifts anytime, even during load-shedding. We are trying to bring back dignity to our people,” he said.
Riman Muchethwa from Ngaatendwe has been appointed as the contractor for Pauline Davis, while Tito Moto from Musantrodina will be working on Deneys Conradie.
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