WATCH: 78-year-old forced to leave Silwerkroon room after weeks of sewage overflow
Residents are calling for immediate action, saying delays highlight broader service delivery failures and questioning the city’s stance that they cannot carry out their own repairs.
A 78-year-old resident at Silwerkroon Old Age Home was forced to move in with her son after raw sewage flooded her room and remained unresolved for weeks.
The issue was reported to the Alberton Record by Connie Malan, a resident who works hand in hand with the facility’s caretaker, who said the sewage problem has persisted for more than three weeks and is now close to a month.
When Alberton Record visited the home, the team witnessed sewage running from the bathroom through to the dining area of the senior’s room.
Personal belongings remained inside as the room stood in a state of disrepair.
According to Malan, the sewage began with a blocked outside drain on the ground floor, which was fixed, but the senior’s room continues to suffer from the overflowing sewage.
@albertonrecordA 78-year-old resident at Silwerkroon Old Age Home was forced to move in with her son after raw sewage flooded her room and remained unresolved for weeks. Full story on southerncourier.co.za
“It seemed like the issue was not resolved properly. The problem was reported again, but nothing much has been done,” said Malan.
She added that the caretaker was informed about the continued overflow, yet nothing has been done.
The elderly resident has since temporarily relocated to stay with her son while the issue is resolved.
Malan is now calling for the woman to be temporarily moved to another available room, while repairs are finalised.
“It does not look like this will be resolved anytime soon. At the very least, she should be moved to another room so she can live with dignity,” Malan said.
Residents at Silverthorne have expressed growing frustration, saying the situation reflects broader service delivery failures at the facility.
They also questioned the city’s position that residents are not permitted to perform their own repairs for infrastructure issues such as leaks or structural damage.
“What is the point of telling us we cannot fix anything ourselves when services are not being delivered? We are elderly people. We deserve respect and dignity,” Malan said.
Alberton Record has contacted the City of Ekurhuleni for comment regarding the issue, but has not received a response at the time of publication.
The publication will provide an update once feedback is received.
