Community assists after centre’s elderly residents are left without water

The residents of Corrie Oberholzer Centre, in Dinwiddie, were left without water when intruders stole the centre’s copper piping.

March 31, 2017

1 minute read

The Corrie Oberholzer Centre, in Dinwiddie, seems to be plagued by maintenance issues,such as unkept gardens and long grass. Recently, to add to the centre’s already growing list of problems, copper pipes were stolen, leaving residents without water.

When residents of the Corrie Oberholzer Centre, in Dinwiddie, woke up on Tuesday, March 21, they discovered they had no water.

It is reported, by Tiaan Kotzé, councillor of Ward 37, that intruders broke into the centre and stole copper pipes through the roof of the centre’s clinic and washroom.

Capt George Raphulu, head of communications for the Germiston police, confirmed the robbery. “During an inspection of the centre it was discovered that criminals had broken into and gained entry through the roof,” he stated.

“They made off with 14 copper pipes, valued at R6 000, which supplied water to the centre.

“The thieves also made off with a weed-eater and lawnmower. However, the lawnmower was later recovered close to the centre’s fence,” he said.

A case of house break-in was opened by the station but no arrests have been made.

Kotzé told the GCN that the residents had been left without water for several days after the incident. “The main water supply feeding the centre cannot be opened due to the missing plumbing,” he said.

He commended the community for coming together to donate bottles of water to residents while they waited for their water to be reconnected.

“Sadly, a lack of water is not the only problem the centre faces,” said Kotzé.

“Maintenance is an issue.

“The grass and garden are overgrown, the place is littered with rubbish and there are broken wall sockets under the stairs.

“In addition, two units have electrical problems and there are even weeds growing out of the centre’s gutters.”

As the home is owned and operated by the metro, the responsibility of replacing the pipes and maintaining the property falls to the metro.

A query was sent to the metro to find out when the pipes would be replaced and the other maintenance issues addressed. However, to date no comment has been received from them.

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