A broken lift has forced disabled residents of Jatra flats to navigate four flights of stairs to their homes for the past few months. Except for the stairs, a shabby service lift is their only alternative.
According to Jatra’s caretaker Mr Clinton Edmond, the lift, which cost a whopping R526 000, was installed in January 2014. The residents, however, complained that it was functional for only two months when it broke down the first time. Since then, it has only worked sporadically for the entire year.
Edmonds said because the lift was imported from Spain the parts had to be imported before it could be fixed, delaying repairs by a few months.
“The lift worked on and off for a year, but about a month ago the controllers broke because of power surges,” Edmonds said.
“We had to fly in the technician from Spain to repair it, but there are now other faults which require his attention.”
Edmonds could not say how long residents would have to wait but said he did not understand why residents did not use the service lift in the meantime.
“I don’t feel safe to take the service lift,” said a resident who had been diagnosed with cancer and now used a walking ring to get around. “It is unstable and only works occasionally. I would rather phone someone to come and help me down the stairs before I risk my life.”
Each flat belongs to individual private owners who have had to pay levies to the body corporate. Four years’ levies were used to buy the lift in 2013.
“We are not complaining that the body corporate bought the lift,” the resident said, “but rather that it is not working and about half the residents are elderly or have disabilities.
“The body corporate should make the reparations a priority.”
According to Edmonds, parts for the new lift arrived in the city yesterday. He assured Nelspruit Post the parts would be installed as soon as possible.
