Donovan McDonald Retirement Centre is once again mired in controversy over an alleged lack of maintenance at the facility.

After receiving numerous complaints from residents and other stakeholders, the Roodepoort Record paid a visit to the centre on Tuesday, March 31, and found numerous potentially serious health hazards facing residents, including about 10 geysers that are out of order, many of them for months.

One resident told the Record that her geyser had not been working since last year and that she has had to resort to using an electric urn to warm water for her baths and to do dishes.

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“We continually report these issues to the Department of Human Settlements, only to be told there is no budget for any repairs,” says Jasmine Bawa.

“Winter is fast approaching. It is already starting to get colder at night and in the mornings.”

According to Florida South Residents Association chairperson Rodney Churchyard, maintenance work at the centre had started to improve dramatically at one stage last year, but has ground to a halt.

“There are many longstanding and urgent problems at the centre which is simply not being attended to,” he says.

“Right now, we are most worried about the many geysers that are not working, the recurring water problems, including taps and water valves that are out of order, and the condition of the roof and ceilings.”

Right on cue, a small team of plumbers, armed with a list of repairs to be done, showed up at the centre just as the Record was leaving.

The Record approached the Department of Human Settlements about the geysers, but has received no response by the time of publishing.