Thieves target centre for the elderly
“As soon as we replace the windows, the thieves return to steal them.”
KINROSS – Ms Ethel Makhele, chairman of the Kinross Golden Oldies Club, said they are struggling to get basic services meant for elderly persons at their premises.
The centre, which was allocated to them by the Govan Mbeki Municipality in November 2014, is still without water and electricity.
They said the municipality expects the elderly to pay nearly R9 000 in order to get electricity.
“Where are we going to get this money because we are a non profit organisation?” asked Ms Makhele, also a founding member of Sikhula Kancane Multipurpose Centre.
What makes the situation more difficult for the elderly, is that their roof was blown off in a storm days before Christmas.
Ms Makhele said when the roof was blown off, they only managed to salvage seven corrugated sheets out of 18.
The other 11 were stolen.
The senior citizens said they are frustrated because thieves regularly steal the windows of the centre.
“As soon as we replace the windows, the thieves return to steal them,” said Ms Makhele.
Sikhula Kancane that looks after orphaned and child-headed families, is also being targeted by thieves.“On Wednesday when the school reopen, we realised that everything was stolen at Sikhula Kancane.“The place was empty, chairs, drinking glasses, plates, gas stove and the food was gone.
The Kinross Golden Oldies Club takes part in elderly games, but do not have a place to exercise and play sport to prepare for games.
The centre is also not fenced.
For more information regarding the Kinross Golden Oldies Club, contact Ms Ethel Makhele at 083 470 8609.
Govan Mbeki Municipality said it is still investigating why it has taken so long for the centre to get water and electricity.
