Evictions imminent at Donovan McDonald

The Department of Human Settlements (DHS) has embarked on a legal process to rid the Donovan McDonald Retirement Centre of its illegal occupants.

This after years of pressure from the local community, community organisations and legal residents of the centre, urging the department to take action.

According to DHS communications manager Neo Goba, the department has approached the Johannesburg High Court hoping to obtain evictions against the many people who live at the centre illegally.

The Roodepoort Record has a detailed list of alleged illegal occupiers of units.

“The eviction of Illegal occupiers is conducted per the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, the Prevention of Illegal Eviction (PIE) Act, the Housing Act [read with the Housing Code] and the City’s Temporary Emergency Accommodation policy,” says Goba in response to questions posed by the Record.

He adds that, since several minor children also reside at the centre, it is of the utmost importance to ensure that the PIE Act is followed ‘with reverence’ and in the best interest of the children.

The department has been under mounting pressure in recent months as accusations of maladministration and corruption at the centre abound.

While the department has not commented on accusations of corruption against its officials and the management of the centre, this action is a massive step in the right direction brought about mostly by the work of a few dedicated individuals, such as Ward 70 committee member John Kirsten and chairperson of the Florida South Residents Association (FSRA), Rodney Churchyard.

According to Kirsten, who is in charge of public safety, there have been numerous reports over the years regarding the untenable situation at the centre.

“These issues were raised over the years by everybody, from the residents associations and the CPF structures to the ward councillor, residents, and more. Unfortunately, the complaints fell on deaf ears while the situation at the centre only worsened.”

Kirsten says problems at the centre include not only the illegal occupation of units, but also illegal activities like prostitution, theft, burglary, and drug peddling.

“We even have reports of rightful residents of the centre being harassed when they speak up about the goings on there.”

Many attempted interventions were staged over the past two years but with no success.

Kirsten says that various meetings were called by the Office of the Premier, but officials from other departments, including the management of the centre simply failed to show up.

The FSRA has also been very active in trying to bring about change at retirement centres.

Churchyard has over the years been instrumental in trying to improve conditions at the centre.

“Most of our attempts to bring about change at the centre over the years have been fruitless,” says Churchyard, who nonetheless refused to give up hope of bringing the centre back to its former glory.

“While working in the background to expose the many problems at the centre, we continued our efforts to assist residents, and even the management of the centre wherever we could. These activities included conducting nighttime patrols, responding to security issues, arranging ambulances, securing vacant units, assisting with evictions, and even cleaning the gardens at the centre.”

Most recently, the FSRA has been assisting with the opening and closing of the centre’s library on Mondays.

“We fully support the eviction of illegal occupants at the centre. It is a pity that it has taken so long, but we will assist wherever we can.”

The illegal occupation of units at the retirement centre is just the tip of the iceberg. The Record has sent a detailed questionnaire to various officials and received only a statement from the DHS confirming the planned evictions.

Look out for our upcoming articles exploring not only the illegal occupation of units but also allegations of corruption and the lack of repairs and maintenance at the centre over the years.