Help needed to fix service centre damaged by protesters
The damage to the buildings and the loss of products are extensive and the centre is closed at present
On October 3 older persons of Phomolong celebrated the Week for the Elderly with Allen Park Service Centre’s older persons.
They were enjoying the celebrations and their senior years to the full.
A mere fortnight later, on Wednesday, October 18, all hell broke loose in and around Phomolong Service Centre for the Aged when protesting Tembisa residents attacked the centre, breaking windows while trying to set the centre on fire.
These destructive people obtained entrance via the auxiliary social worker’s office.
For the older persons of Phomolong, Phomolong Service Centre is their home away from home where they receive breakfast, lunch and snacks on a daily basis. The older persons also participate in activities to alleviate boredom, isolation and helplessness.
The older persons were devastated by the violent attack on their centre by a mob of bullies unhappy about poor municipal service delivery in Tembisa.
Phomolong Service Centre is not part of the municipal service delivery section and is financially and administratively run by the Council for the Aged Kempton Park.
The damage to the buildings and the loss of products are extensive and the centre is closed at present, thus leaving vulnerable older persons without daycare, security and nutritional meals, which has a devastating effect on their health and well-being.
For the older person this is particularly traumatic and they do not deserve such treatment by the community.
The Council for the Aged Kempton Park appeals to the caring community of Kempton Park for support to restore Phomolong Service Centre as quickly as possible to its former glory.
For further information or contributions, contact Rika Jansen van Vuuren or the CEO, André Naude, on 011-972-4220/4268.
