FED-UP residents of Reuven Old Age Home in Turffontein want their area manager gone.
The residents said they’ve had enough of Graig Mackhette who’s been a thorn in their sides since his appointment.
Residents claim that their personal belongings are being stolen under Mackette’s nose.
Reuven is home of the elderly people and residents said they want to be treated as elderly people, not like dogs.
The elderly residents believe that if Mackhette can vacate his position their belongings won’t get stolen anymore.
One of the residents, Anthony Davids, told COURIER his car wheels were stolen and when he reported the matter to Mackhette he was told to go to the head office while there’s an office at the Reuven premises for them to raise their concerns.
“We are ill-treated. Whatever concerns we bring to management are never attended too. If our concerns were taken seriously it could’ve been much better and we wouldn’t be demanding Mackhette’s resignation,” said Davids.
Another resident, William Miller, said his car battery was stolen and he reported the matter to Booysens SAPS and again nothing was done to help him.
Residents claim when their family members come to visit them they park their cars besides the road in the premises and Mackhette will take pictures of the car and paste it on the walls saying this car should never be allowed to enter again.
Concerns
• Stealing of their belongings.
• Allowing youngsters to smoke on the premises.
• Non-maintaining of toilets.
• Management ill-treating them by not attending to their complaints.
The COURIER tried to get comment from Machette but he said that he’s not allowed to comment and that the COURIER should approach Bubu Xuba, Reuven’s communication officer, for comment.
Bubu Xuba from the housing department said the department has learnt of these unfortunate incidents that have occurred at Reuven retirement home.
“There is a high crime rate in our country currently and unfortunately our senior citizens are not left unscathed. While this is the case we would like to encourage the tenants to report the cases of theft to the SAPS. This will enable the police to build up a case especially since it looks like a trend. “The department is also looking at ways to improve the security at the retirement home, which might include rotating the security guards currently stationed there. In the meantime, we encourage residents to be vigilant and report any visitor who sleeps over as this is not allowed and the tenants are then exposed to criminal activities,” said Xuba.
Booysens SAPS communications officer Capt Lorraine van Emmerik said there are cases reported at Booysens which are currently under investigation.
“All cases that are opened are investigated and all information given is followed up but unfortunately the information doesn’t always lead to an arrest. Numerous meetings have been held with the relevant role-players of the old age home. Security is a council situation and needs to be addressed by them,” said Emmerik
