Ward 92 elderly residents are in danger. What should be a safe, dignified housing for senior citizens has instead become a daily struggle for survival.

Residents of Kruinhof Retirement Village and Wally Hayward Flats, both city-owned facilities, are living in deteriorating conditions that raise serious concerns about neglect, safety, and the well-being of some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.

For many elderly residents, these flats are meant to be a place of peace and security in their later years, but they have become a nightmare instead.

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Residents face crumbling infrastructure, health hazards, and a lack of basic municipal services.

Clr Kade Guerreiro said maintenance issues at Kruinhof and Wally Hayward have spiralled out of control.

“Residents report widespread mould growing on walls, posing respiratory risks, especially for the elderly.

“Structural cracks along walls and foundations raise concerns about the long-term safety of the buildings. In some units, roofs leak during rain, while broken gutters worsen the damage,” said Guerreiro.

He added that basic services have also collapsed. Many geysers no longer work, leaving residents without hot water. Sewage blockages often go unattended, creating unhygienic living conditions.

Leaking toilets and pipes add to the daily frustration, while electrical issues, including exposed cables and faulty light fittings, present serious safety hazards.

He said the most alarming is the complete absence of fire hydrants, coupled with rusted railings on upper floors, placing residents at significant risk in the event of an emergency. Rodent infestations have also become common in these flats, posing further health risks for the elderly.

At Kruinhof Retirement Village, residents pay around R500 a month in rent and an average of R800 for electricity, while water and waste services are provided at no cost.

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Despite these payments, Guerreiro said residents are often left to fix problems themselves. “Recently, they had to collectively spend R4500 of their own money to repair a broken gate after receiving no assistance from the City of Ekurhuleni,” he said.

Conditions at Wally Hayward Flats are equally concerning. Residents there pay between R1 500 and R3 000 in rent, with electricity costs averaging R1 000 per month. Yet, despite higher rental fees, they face similar, if not worse, challenges.

“Due to non-functional water infrastructure, some residents have resorted to using hosepipe systems to access water, a temporary and unreliable solution that highlights the extent of service delivery failures,” said Guerreiro.

He said the neglect of these facilities raises serious questions about the city’s commitment to maintaining housing for the elderly.

Residents feel abandoned, forced to live in unsafe and undignified conditions while still expected to pay rent and utilities. For many, the situation is not just about infrastructure, it is about dignity.

“These are senior citizens who have contributed to society and now find themselves battling poor living conditions instead of enjoying a secure retirement,” said Guerreiro.

The DA in Ekurhuleni has expressed deep concern about the appalling living conditions in council-owned retirement homes.

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“For the past two years, the DA has repeatedly made the ANC-led cty aware of the urgent need for maintenance, improved safety measures, and better management of these facilities. Despite these engagements, many of the issues raised remain unresolved,” said Sally Nene, DA Ekurhuleni spokesperson on environmental health and social services.

“The DA has also previously proposed that the city collaborate with external organisations through Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to address the challenges facing these properties. However, the cty has failed to implement these agreements.”

In a recent statement, the DA said it is demanding that the city prioritise the implementation of these resolutions to improve the living conditions of elderly residents in Ekurhuleni.

Germiston City News has covered several issues related to the lack of maintenance of city-owned accommodation for the elderly in several articles.

The city has consistently maintained that there is budget available to refurbish these buildings. An enquiry was sent to the city on March 25, questioning whether a budget has been allocated for this financial year to address these issues. However, no comment was received at the time of going to print.