SHOCKING allegations have placed the Durban and Coastal Mental Health Society (DCMH) in the spotlight after residents at the home disclosed disturbing details about their living conditions.
Speaking to Berea Mail, concerned family members allege residents weren’t being fed properly.
This comes after residents at the home received dry bread for supper and on one occasion, it was allegedly mouldy.
What’s more, they say there is currently no security on the premises at the Sherwood home.
One woman, who asked not to be named out of fear of intimidation for her relative, said her relative had lived at the home for more than 20 years.
She said at a recent AGM, reports of the organisation’s financials showed that it was R6 million ‘in the red’ and was being sued for more than R2 million for an unpaid bill from a service provider.
She said an investigation had been launched by KZN Department of Health as the department was concerned about issues at the facility.
“The organisation ran fine for years, but what is happening now is mismanagement of finances. The Department of Social Development provides funding and they receive residents’ grants, so they should have the finances to take care of their residents. My relative and other residents are receiving dry bread for supper, on one occasion this was mouldy, they haven’t had proper fruit and vegetables for so long, toilet paper is running out, and we were told to provide this and toiletries for our family members at a meeting last month. We want to know what is happening with the money,” said another relative, who asked not to be named.
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They said there was no security at the entrance to the home in Sherwood, as staff weren’t being paid.
What’s more an armed robbery recently rocked the Sherwood home, where tenants were held up, and cars were stolen.
“This is about the dignity of people under the society’s care. The occupants can’t stand up for themselves. We as families are being asked to support the homes, but the society should be going to government for help,” they said, adding that they were waiting on the results of the investigation.
Durban Coastal Mental Health CEO responds
A concerned party also recently forwarded Berea Mail a message from a local WhatsApp group, where appeals went out for donations of food to the society.
Commenting on the state of affairs at the society, chief executive officer of DCMH, Victor Mthiyane, confirmed the society was currently experiencing financial constraints which he said said this was mostly due to lack of funding, and due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown.
“When the new board took over the office from DCMH’s previous board, it inherited a debt of more than R4 million and unfortunately the debt has been accumulating. Nevertheless, we can confirm to you that our service users are well taken care of and the food they are given is of good health to them,” he said.
Regarding security, Mthiyane said there is security on site at all DCMH centres, including two officers at the Sherwood premises.
“Your source misled you here, and we do not know what the intended agenda would be, for the centre to receive negative publicity. All our DCMH staff members have been receiving their salaries throughout the year, but only some of the service providers have not been paid in full as we are struggling with funds as stated,” he said.
Mthiyane stated donations from the public and private donors are welcome.
“It is true that DCMH does receive grants from the Department of Social Development and the Department of Health but unfortunately these grants alone are not sufficient to run the entire organisation, hence the plea for every good Samaritan to assist with any kind of donation and funding,” he commented.
Mthiyane said he felt it would be unfair for the new board and current management to be blamed for financial challenges and debts that have been inherited from the previous board. He said the current leadership was doing all it could to keep the organisation afloat.
“The current leadership has appointed well qualified professionals to conduct an internal forensic investigation with regards to any wrong doings that were inherited from the previous board and leadership and once completed the full report will be shared with any interested party for transparency reasons” he concluded.
Berea Mail requested comment from the Department of Health on the matter, however, no response was received at time of going to press.
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