Legal requests ignored since 2008, illegals welcome

Emails with recorded reference numbers reveal some elderly folk have been waiting since 2008 to be placed in the controversial Klein Helderkruin Old Age Home (KH).

Meanwhile, allegations that illegal tenants are driving legal residents barking mad were confirmed by numerous sources.

Emails reached the Record which proves Clarke attempted to highlight issues, which were covered in May editions of the newspaper, months ahead of the fact.

An email sent in February, which seemingly contains notes from an on-site meeting between Clarke and city officials, reveals that at least seven people have been waiting for years, some since 2008, to get allocated a unit in the controversial home. Each individual or couple’s municipal reference number is attached.

Big problems at Klein Helderkruin

Furthermore a resident who suffers cancer requested to move to a ground unit as she is no longer mobile to climb the stairs to her own, but was simply ignored. Mention is also made of a specific unit allocated to a 54-year-old person, while you are only regarded a state pensioner and eligible for the Old Persons Grant (OPG) at age 60. A couple who applied in 2011 are homeless and have nowhere to go. Another couple have been waiting since 2013, living in a tent in the mean time, which was flooded in February this year.

The email, sent in February 2016 marks almost exactly two years since Clarke had disciplinary investigations brought against her for “interfering” at KH. In 2014, she was battling with a situation where a 53-year-old man moved in with his mother. She along with many residents motioned for the mother to be evicted, as per regulations, but was called out for “interfering” with what is essentially the job of the JMPD and the Department of Housing. She was acquitted of all allegations made against her in August that year after an investigation by the council’s ethics committee.

‘Klein Helderkruin’s suffering atrocious’ says Clarke

Last week an upset RCA committee member, Rae Baur, approached the Record claiming the journalist wrote “utter nonsense” about KH and the Roodepoort Care of the Aged’s (RCA’s) involvement in the institution. In a phone call she attempted to thwart allegations about the institution, but said on record, “There has been a little bit of corruption along the way.”

She later said she’d rather address a letter to the Record, detailing her counter argument, than speak off the cuff. The letter is yet to reach the newspaper.

Residents scared to speak out

A resident, who wished to stay anonymous in fear of later victimisation, added that she struggled for over four months to get a large water leak outside her unit fixed. It was fixed for a mere week and burst open again last Friday, 20 May.

“There are big problems here; they are supposed to look after what is essentially council property but they don’t do that. Water is coming down the property like a river flowing through it,” she said.

Klein Helderkruin big problems

A fairly new resident of Aster Court, having moved in December last year, told the Record she’s struggled all May to get her unit’s water regulator sorted out.

“One of my neighbours have gone without hot water for a week. Another has been suffering with a burst geyser for over a month, now,” she said.

She also reiterated that children live with their parents and grandparents in the units. To date the numerous city officials approached for comment have failed to respond to questions posed by the Record. Another round of requests will be made this week.

More to follow.

Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.

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