New lifts on the cards for Scribante’s elderly
The lifts at the Andries Scribante Haven in Cason have still not been repaired - however, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the elderly residents of this Ekurhuleni-owned block of flats.
According to ward Clr Marius de Vos action has been taken to install new lifts at Scribante and other metro residential flats.
“I’ve put forward a strong motivation for the old lifts to be replaced because this matter has been long overdue,” he said.
A contractor will be appointed within the current financial year to install the new lifts.
To bring relief to the current situation, a quotation has been obtained from Otis Elevator Company to fix the old lifts in the meantime.
De Vos mentioned the quotation has been accepted but it’s unknown when this will come into effect.
The Advertiser reported on the situation at Scribante in an article, ‘Shameful as elderly must use the stairs‘, on page 3 of the issue dated June 23.
At the time, the one lift had allegedly been out of order for about two months while the other had not been working for about two years.
An 85-year-old resident, who lives on the third floor, told the Advertiser anonymously on October 18 that she damaged her back by having to walk up and down the stairs and now has to undergo physiotherapy.
Earlier this week, another complainant, who also wishes to remain anonymous, mentioned that some aged residents aren’t even able to leave their homes and have devised a pulley system to get their washing hung up and back into their flats.
This pensioner said she did not want to be named for fear of victimisation.
“I am going to execute tremendous pressure for the lifts to be repaired as soon as possible – this is a priority,” said de Vos.
The Advertiser is awaiting a response from the metro on the situation.
