According to a number of residents and members of the body corporate, there has not been a working elevator for three weeks, leaving flat owners with no choice but to use the stairs.
According to caretaker Mr George Morton, there are, in fact, two elevators in the building, but one is being replaced and is only expected to be operational in two to three weeks.
The second elevator has since broken down. Morton said the maintenance service provider is an international company which makes the situation quite difficult.
“This is an imported elevator. The only thing we can do from our side is to keep in touch with the company and hope they will be as speedy as possible. According to the technician, there is a problem with the circuit board. They are still working on it,” he said.
Nelspruit Post first received a call from a concerned occupant more than a week ago. The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she had seen a mother carrying her disabled daughter up the stairs. She added that there were also elderly people lifting heavy shopping bags to their homes. The paper has since received complaints from another resident who said he is very worried about the disabled residents in the building.
Also read: Broken lift causes distress for elderly and disabled residents
Ms Sophia de Vos, chairman of Jatra’s body corporate, said she had offered her help to anyone who needed it.
“I will drive the residents anywhere if they need me to. I will use all the petrol in my car. No one has called me for assistance yet,” she said.
“We’re all in it together and we know it is quite a challenge for all concerned. We have asked one of the workers here to help people carry their groceries.”
The paper has tried to contact the elevator company, which is also responsible for the maintenance of the mechanism, without success.
