ERMELO – Following Highvelder’s recent article on concerns raised about the SAVF Huis Ermelo, including allegations of a lack of a compliant fire safety plan, the organisation has provided some responses addressing the issues.

The SAVF confirmed that, among other matters, fire safety is being addressed as part of a multiphase upgrade to the facility.

Fire safety plan and consultants

It said a three-phase fire safety plan, proposed by consultants, was approved by the SAVF national board in November 2024, and the implementation is scheduled for 2025.

SAVF Huis Ermelo has declined to provide the specifics of a 2012 fire incident, citing respect for those affected.

Despite this sentiment, the fire safety plan was only proposed last year, with funding approved in November and implementation planned for this year.

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This raises questions about whether adequate fire safety measures were in place in the years following the incident.

While the SAVF insists the home meets the minimum safety regulations, it has not confirmed whether full compliance with SANS 10400-T fire safety regulations has been achieved.

Highvelder has requested a copy of their compliance certificate on two occasions, but the home has still not provided it.

Maria Scholtz, the SAVF’s marketing head, instead said: “Fire safety plans are reviewed and adapted as per the required changes in the facility and this has been the approach over the past 13 years.”

She indicated that their most recent safety plan was signed on November 1.

Highvelder has asked for clarity in terms of a safety plan versus a SANS 10400-T compliance certificate and awaits feedback.

The SAVF indicated it is in a reconstruction phase to ensure the sustainability of the facility, and as such the required safety guidelines are implemented as per the consultants’ guidelines.

Resident concerns and financial strain

Highvelder asked in a subsequent email for specifics about these ‘consultants’, their titles and qualifications, and whether they are external fire safety specialists with expertise in SANS 10400-T compliance, or internal SAVF advisers.

Additionally, confirmation was sought on whether these consultants have formally approved the fire safety measures at SAVF Huis Ermelo.

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The SAVF also said it has conducted three fire drills, two last year and one in January. Highvelder has requested the records for these drills and asked whether they included the frail care and Alzheimer’s divisions.

George Kleinhans, the former vice chairperson of service management, head of maintenance and the roof project manager, provided additional insights last year about, among others, the fire safety plan.

He said he had been tasked by the former manager, Waldi Sieberhagen, to get the fire plan signed by the Msukaligwa Fire and Rescue Services’ fire chief, Jaco Johnstone.

When Kleinhans approached him about the fire safety certificate, he said Johnstone pointed out that the facility lacked essential fire safety features, including functional fire hydrants, working alarms and an adequate number of fire extinguishers. Kleinhans suggested that they create a fire safety plan to meet the necessary standards for approval by Johnstone.

Kleinhans mentioned that during his last management meeting, Sieberhagen informed him about the BSafe certificate available for the facility.

However, Kleinhans said the BSafe document was not a compliance certificate.

He recommended arranging a meeting with the relevant authorities to discuss the matter further, but Sieberhagen allegedly declined, opting to handle the situation herself.

Contrasting views

Kleinhans also shared that Mari Louw, the regional manager, was in communication with him, mentioning that she intended to speak with Johnstone.

According to Kleinhans, Louw indicated that the fire safety requirements seemed excessive.

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Kleinhans, however, emphasised the facility did not have a fire safety plan that met regulatory standards and, as a result, was non-compliant.

Kleinhans suggested that Louw obtain quotes from qualified professionals to develop a fire safety plan which adhered to the required scale, and then tell Johnstone why she felt it was excessive.

He expressed frustration, noting he had been asked to undertake this work without asking for compensation, yet his expertise and advice were not heeded to by management.

He served on the SAVF day management in an unpaid capacity. However, as a architect-technologist, he believes that despite his extensive experience and offering his advice at no cost, they still chose to disregard his recommendations.

His words to Mari Louw, verbatim, were: “Ek voel of ek my verniet-service op jou afdwing.”

Kleinhans went on to raise concerns about the fire evacuation drills, which he confirmed were conducted at the facility, but noted that the frail care and Alzheimer’s units were excluded.

He questioned how staff could be expected to implement an evacuation plan effectively if the residents in these divisions had not been trained through the drills.

Some concerns were also raised in the newspaper’s last article about looming tariff increases,

with some residents already struggling to keep up with payments. The SAVF stated that tariff adjustments are implemented annually on April 1, based on inflation and economic factors.

ALSO READ: SAVF Huis Ermelo denies all allegations against it

They assured the rate changes are communicated to residents and families once the budgeting process is completed. Highvelder knows of two residents who, due to the financial implications, have left the old age home, claiming the cost is currently R13 000 per month to stay there.

In her response to the publication’s enquiries, Scholtz also wished to report that three members of the SAVF’s executive committee made an unannounced visit to Huis Ermelo on February 18.

“They wished to commend the current acting manager for his efforts in maintaining the emotional well-being of the staff and residents, the high quality of care provided, the overall cleanliness of the facility and gardens, its excellence in meal quality and portion sizes, and attention to all aspects of safety, security and proposed future enhancements to the facility.”

While this endorsement paints a positive picture of current operations, it contrasts with the concerns voiced by some elderly residents and their families, who have shared their worries with the newspaper over the past year.

SAVF inspections contrast with residents’ concerns

In response to questions about the contrasting views between recent inspections and negative feedback from some residents, the SAVF pointed to the importance of first-hand knowledge.

The organisation highlighted that Highvelder’s editor and some members of the SAVF’s executive committee had visited the facility, noting a stark contrast between the actual state of the facility and the negative allegations made by some individuals.

According to the SAVF, the residents’ daily operations and overall environment reflect the dedication, care and service that defines Huis Ermelo.

While Highvelder acknowledges the recent visit to the facility, it notes that the editor’s visit was brief and cannot be considered a comprehensive reflection of the ongoing conditions some residents experience.

The publication believes the voices of the residents who live at the facility full-time should carry more weight in assessing the living conditions.

Additionally, a voice note mistakenly sent by Louw on the residents’ WhatsApp group was meant for Sieberhagen, not for the residents. Louw raised questions about the preparation made for the visit.

In it she thanked the then-manager for putting up posters and requesting additional signage to be put up in preparation for Highvelder’s visit.

The message was downloaded and forwarded to the publication by a concerned resident.

Another resident claimed that since the articles about the SAVF have been published, the quality of the food they receive is much better. The SAVF has also been sharing these meals publicly on its Facebook page.

Highvelder will provide an update to its readers in next week’s newspaper on the outstanding questions that were answered.