Elderly woman dies before municipality could help her
'It is sad – we did all we could to help her but now she is no longer with us' — municipal official.
Before the festive season began last year the Randfontein Local Municipality offered an elderly woman the opportunity to better her living conditions, but she refused.
MMC for Social Development Patricia Matuwane described the environment she was living in as a health hazard after the initial visit to the cottage.
Matuwane then returned with several other municipal officials as well as the manager of the Mohlakeng old age home – where she was offered a house – in order to convince her the move was for her own good.
Upon arriving, the elderly woman was not at home as she was taken to hospital by her neighbour. The elderly woman, Meisie Molaulla since has passed on. “It is sad – we tried our best to help her but now she is no longer with us,” says a sorrowful Matuwane.
One of Molaulla’s last wishes was for her to be buried next to her first born. In an act of philanthropy, Randfontein Local Municipality donated a grave space next to her first born to honor her wish.
According to Matuwane, “It was a very dignified funeral. She did not have any family present but the owner of the plot really acted as a family member.”
Matuwane also discovered at the funeral that Molaulla had a husband and two children who all passed away shortly after one another.
“We are disappointed that we could not do more for her while she was still alive. Donating a space was the least we could do,” said Matuwane.
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