The MEC for Health and Social Development in Gauteng, Ntombi Mekgwe, has decided that two homes should be closed down because their owners have failed to comply with minimum standards for residential facilities catering for older persons and people with disabilities.
The homes are Mamohau Orphanage in Mapleton, Ekurhuleni and DB Old Age home in Dickenson Industrial areas, Sedibeng region. Residents of these homes will be moved to other suitable facilities before the end of August.
The decision to close the homes comes after several attempts by social workers to assist the facilities to comply with minimum standards. All attempts were ignored by the owners of the homes.
The MEC said she was concerned that “the living conditions in the facilities are harmful to the physical and psychological wellbeing of residents and that their rights are being grossly violated and compromised.”
Reasons for closing for closing down Mamohau are:
- The facility is isolated, not fenced and the safety of the residents is at risk as access is not controlled
- Children and adults with disabilities who are mentally challenged are accommodated in the same house which poses a risk to their safety
- The owner has failed to cooperate with the department to improve facility to meet minimum standards
- The owner has ignored advice not to operate a residential facility.
Children in homes have been removed twice before but the owner has continued to admit children.
DB Old Age home operates from an old panel beating shop and no improvements have been made to the building to make it conducive and safe for older persons.
A summary of the concerns about this home are that:
- It offers poor quality and inappropriate care to older persons
- It has no programmes stimulation and recreational programmes
- Health and medical care is non-existent and is rendered by unqualified personnel
- Administrative records of the older persons or the staff are not kept.
- The building is not suitable for human habitation. It is an industrial site with inhumane living conditions for older persons.
- Unhygienic conditions, dirty with a constant stench which poses a safety risk.
- The building is poorly maintained.
“It is the responsibility of government to ensure that the older persons are placed in a suitable facility where they will be nurtured and cared for with dignity and respect for their human rights,” the MEC.
She instructed officials to consult with residents about the decision to close the home and the new places that they will be moved to.
Enquiries:
Simon Zwane
Cell: 082 551 9892
