Municipal contractors were recently sent out to fix the damaged drainage system at Andries Scribante Haven.
However, residents are not pleased with the service rendered by the contractor, saying workers did shoddy work and overlooked other problems caused by the decaying plumbing system at the centre.
One of the dissatisfied residents, Charles Tewitz, said after waiting for months, workers recently arrived to clear the drain blockage using drain rods, but that does not seem to have solved the problem as the sinks and bathtubs are still draining slowly and permeate a foul smell.
“It’s clear to me that shoddy work was done here because our toilets, bath tubs and sinks are still draining slowly. The corroded leaky water and drainage system pipes were not attended to at all, and still need fixing. It seems to me the drainage system problem extends beyond the small drains in our gardens,” said Tewitz.
Rent increases
Residents are also bemoaning the said metro’s plan to increase rent amid the ‘lack’ of maintenance, and when the tenants are suffering financial hardship due to Covid-19.
Phillip Burmeister said tenants including his 87-year-old mother-in-law who lives at the centre received two letters warning of possible rent increases, and a formal notice of lease renewal.
“As you are aware, these flats are occupied by pensioners who are expected to survive on a ridiculous pension of R1 800 per month. How can these struggling pensioners be expected to pay more for rent when the building is falling apart?
“The state of this building is absolutely shocking, and the caretaker is unhelpful. Requests for assistance and repairs to blocked drains, sewage running in open areas, long grass and filthy corridors, water seepage into flats just falls on deaf ears. This cannot be allowed to happen, and something must be done about this,” said Burmeister.
Also Read: Scribante senior citizens remain in limbo regarding sewage mess
Tewitz also echoed Burmeister’s sentiments regarding the proposed rent increased, adding that tenants were only issued the notice on August 20 and are expected to get everything sorted out by September 1.
“It’s absolutely disgusting the way tenants are being treated by the municipality. We spend money from our pockets to repair leaky pipes and now the metro wants to increase rent to pay people who are not doing their jobs. It’s grossly unfair treatment of pensioners,” said Tewitz.
Ward 32 Councillor Marius de Vos said he has also been trying to reason with municipal officials to get the woes of Scribante residents addressed, but the relevant departments seem to be unforthcoming about plans to get the problems resolved.
No comment was received from the metro at the time of compiling this report.
Also Read: Concerns over walkways at Andries Scribante Haven
