Metro in process of repairing lifts at Andries Scribante Haven

The Advertiser recently reported in the newspaper that the elderly residents on crutches, in wheelchairs, with walkers and health problems, have to struggle up and down the stairs at Scribante.

Residents are up in arms because the lifts have been out of order for quite some time.

The one lift has allegedly been broken for about two years and the other for approximately two months.

According to the metro spokesperson, Themba Gadebe, it must, however, be noted that the process of procuring the services of a specialised contractor to install new lifts in all the complexes owned and managed by the municipality is ongoing.

“The Lifts Bid Specifications report is being finalised by the specialist for submission to Bid Specification Committee before the end of June,” Gadebe said.

“In the meantime, the metro has obtained quotations to repair lifts as a matter of urgency.”

Gadebe said it is planning to finalise this matter before June 30.

A 70-year-old resident has told the Advertiser, apart from the lifts being broken, they are being treated like animals.

According to Gadebe these are serious allegations that need to be formally reported to the Regional Manager with substantive evidence so that the matter can be investigated.

“This will allow the manager in charge to institute disciplinary processes against the employees. The metro has in the interim engaged with the employees and the allegations are strongly refuted by the employees,” said Gadebe.

“The environment will be closely monitored by the deployed Housing Officer to ensure the environment is characterised by order.”

The metro confirmed there is only one security guard on the premises which is at the front gate for access control. All visitors are required to sign the register book before accessing the building.

“The back gate is strictly for the tenants who have vehicles. The tenants have access tags in order to be able to open the gate,” said Gadebe.

However, the Advertiser had been on the premises multiple times of which June 12 was the last and never signed any register.

The front gate was open and the Advertiser entered the building without any problems.

Residents also complained about the neatness of the premises.

Gadebe said five general workers work at Scribante and supplied the Advertiser with the operating duties:

• Mondays and Thursdays they clean corridors.
• Wednesdays and Fridays they clean the staircases and rails.
• Wednesdays they clean public toilets, laundry are and the lifts.
• Litter picking and wheelie bins are taken out on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and the parking area is swept.
• Tuesdays and Thursdays they clean at Down Town Flats and Rome Place Flats.

He said the working hours for general workers are from 7am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday.

“This allegation that they leave at 11am every Friday and work from 10am until 1pm are not correct, as the employees refute them,” said Gadebe.

“However, the metro will take the necessary steps to ensure that the employees are operating in accordance with their conditions of employment.”

He also disputed Marie Russell’s from the Samaritaan Huis, in Sky Street, statement that there’s no maintenance done by the municipality that owns the building.

“Maintenance work is always executed at the complex. The complex has recently been painted and all the challenges relating to plumbing have been addressed,” argued Gadebe.

“It is important to mention that the metro’s energy department is installing solar geysers in all the apartments. Furthermore, the department is attending to the replacement of all leaking taps and pipes.

“All vacant flats due to be allocated are being painted and tiled. It is clear that the allegation that there is no work done is incorrect.”