High-level oversight at Donovan McDonald
A high-level delegation from the Democratic Alliance conducted an oversight visit at the Donovan McDonald Retirement Centre.
The DA conducted a series of oversight visits to three retirement centres in Johannesburg on Thursday, November 7, one of which was the notorious Donovan McDonald Retirement Centre in Maraisburg.
The oversight visit was conducted by DA spokesperson on Social Development and member of parliament, Bridget Masango, shadow MMC for Health and Social Development, Beverley Jacobs, and Johannesburg Caucus leader Clr Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku.
Ward 70 Councillor Caleb Finn led the delegation on a tour of the facility while explaining the multitude of problems at the centre.
The delegation saw first-hand some of the challenges faced on a daily basis by the elderly residents of the centre, including vandalism and theft of infrastructure, numerous maintenance-related issues, illegal occupancy of units, frequent crime incidents and more.
Finn highlighted that the City of Johannesburg has identified Donovan McDonald as a high-risk site in terms of security and that it provides security to man the gate and patrol the facility. He did add that nevertheless, there are numerous security-related problems at the centre.
He praised the rapid response team from the office of the premier but explained that despite some interventions by the team, none of the involved entities, including the then management of the Department of Human Settlements and Donovan McDonald centre management responded to meeting requests from the premier’s office.
Finn did impress upon the delegation that the new acting regional manager of the Department of Human Settlements seems to be genuine in trying to turn the tide at the centre.
Other problems that were discussed included the alleged ‘sale’ of units at the centre by certain corrupt officials, and the fear of intimidation of elderly residents by the illegal occupants.
After the tour of the centre, the delegation held a short meeting with a few of the residents, who echoed the problems listed by Finn.
Florida South Residents Association chairperson Rodney Churchyard told the delegation that the lack of repair and maintenance is one of the foremost problems at the facility as this most directly affects the elderly residents.
The delegation explained to residents that they will now address the issues as highlighted at the local, provincial, and national levels with the relevant departments and authorities.
