After almost a year of waiting, and much to the relief of residents, faulty geysers at the Tweedy Park Old Age Home and other municipal-owned buildings have been repaired.
According to Brandon Pretorius, DA councillor for Ward 97 in Brakpan, this is the result of months of continued pressure on the Human Settlements Department to take action.
“We are happy the department within Brakpan is finally fulfulling its mandate as it was clear there was not only a lack of political will to assist the elderly and dependent residents, but also a lack of humanity,” he said.
Residents of the old age home have been plagued by geyser problems for months.
In March, the Herald reported on the plight of 95-year-old resident Hester Botes, who had been without hot water for five months.
READ: Koue water is bejaardes se lot
Her plea to the municipality fell on deaf ears and her geyser was replaced by benefactors in June.
Botes was delighted to have hot water in her flat again after months, but sadly died last month.
“She was forced to use a kettle to boil water in which to bathe and had we needed to wait for the municipality, she would have had to do so until the very end,” said Pretorius.
“Thankfully residents of our town assisted where the municipality failed and her geyser was replaced by these local heroes.”
Pretorius told the Herald 90 per cent of the faulty geysers have been repaired.
“I can gladly say that the continued pressure has paid off and the elderly of Brakpan and other members of our community renting municipal-owned housing are finally receiving some relief,” he said.
“It is an absolute shame and heartbreaking to know that residents have to plead for services they should receive.
“As the Democratic Alliance, we have again applied and will continue applying pressure to ensure the outstanding geysers get replaced and that the municipality do what they are legally obliged to do.”
He thanked those community members who assist where possible, and those who helped with the replacement of Botes’ geyser.
READ: Contact your councillor
“I will continue to fight for the people of Brakpan and work with all the residents of the town to ensure that the ruling administration realises that we will not leave the future of our town in their hands,” he added.
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