The living conditions at the Driehoek Old Age Home have deteriorated to shocking levels, leaving vulnerable elderly residents exposed to health and safety risks. The city has been slow to respond to the crisis.

The Germiston City News visited the home in February to assess the living conditions and speak to residents. The situation is no different now.

Once considered a place of safety and dignity for seniors, the home is now on the brink of collapse. Cracked walls, leaking roofs, broken plumbing and faulty wiring have turned it into what Clr Wendy Morgan described as “an accident waiting to happen”.

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“The situation is dire. We are talking about our elderly mothers and fathers living in unsafe conditions. The city has known of the problem for years, yet has done nothing concrete to fix it,” said Morgan, who has repeatedly raised her concerns in council.

Residents endure unsanitary bathrooms, water seeps through some ceilings when it rains, and the smell of damp and mould lingers in the air.

For many residents, some in poor health, these conditions are not only uncomfortable but life-threatening.

Earlier this year, when the city was questioned about the home’s condition, it cited budget constraints as the primary obstacle to initiating substantial repairs.

CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini stated that the city routinely addressed the home’s issues.

“The city attends to problems at the home as and when they arise and come to our attention. The infrastructural issues are dealt with depending on budget availability,” said Dlamini.

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He added that maintenance delays happened depending on the availability of funds and contractors.

“Funds are allocated by the council every financial year. Likewise, maintenance is limited to available funds and contractors. Our budgets depend on the city’s finances, which depend on the payment of services,” he added.

The paper sent an enquiry requesting comment on the matter, but the CoE replied that there was still no budget to address the situation. Residents living nearby argue that these excuses have persisted for too long.

“These living conditions are not ideal for the elderly. The city can find funds for other projects, yet when it comes to caring for the elderly, there’s always a delay. We cannot wait for a disaster before taking action,” said a concerned resident.

While the city continues to cite budget constraints, the home has raised concerns for years, yet the CoE has failed to prioritise the issue before lives are lost.