IT is still a mystery as to where the oxygen unit of the late Eric van Zyl disappeared to at Johannesburg Association for the Aged (JAFTA) Village.
Van Zyl, who was at the village’s frail care facility, died in April and he had a portable oxygen unit he carried around all the time. It is alleged that after his death a friend wanted to assist the family to collect his belongings and the unit was nowhere to be found.
Gwynne Smith, a friend of Van Zyl, said he went to live at JAFTA in 2014 and was then moved to the frail care facility in 2016 as he needed more attentive care.
“During 2017/18 he was placed on permanent oxygen and decided to purchase a portable oxygen unit. This item cost about R35 000 and he paid for the unit. He was admitted to hospital in March and died on April 18. He never returned to the frail care from the time he was admitted to hospital.
“Arrangements were made to clear his personal items from the frail care and this was done by his family on April 19. At that time the portable oxygen unit was not with his possessions.
“I spoke to the staff at the unit and was given conflicting stories that the oxygen unit had been placed in the office and that it had been taken by the staff from the office.
“I have spoken to Karen in the office and emailed the details to her on May 21. She has not responded to the email and is now avoiding my calls.
“I am beginning to feel that the people in the care of the staff in the frail care are very vulnerable and ‘abused’ because of their frail state and this should be brought to the attention of anyone who may have a family member being cared for there,” explained Gwynne.
Courier meets JAFTA for explanation
On June 26, the Courier met with JAFTA’a CEO Karen Kollosche and Primrose Neku, the matron who was responsible for Eric van Zyl, to try and establish what really happened to the oxygen unit.
Van Zyl had two oxygen units. One was leased from VitalAire and the other was his portable one.
According to Neku they didn’t know that the portable one belonged to Van Zyl. They thought they both belonged to VitalAire.
“No one told us about this. When he died I phoned VitalAire to come and take the units because we were under impression that they belong to them however when they came, the portable one was not there.
“It disappeared and no one knows where it is. Van Zyl also willingly gave his wheelchair to Mr Osborne, his friend at the Village,” Neku said.
Kollosche mentioned that the portable oxygen unit was never declared to JAFTA as his personal belonging.
She mentioned that between her and Neku they have 60 years’ experience and they had never had this kind of situation. They have taken care of Van Zyl from day one when he arrived at the village.
When asked by the Courier whether JAFTA will take responsibility for the loss, she said, no. “There are conditions of admission which are applicable to all residents.
“Among these conditions: JAFTA Village is not responsible for loss or damage to personal effects, possessions or any items whatsoever. Also on declaration and acknowledgement: JAFTA does not accept responsibility for losses of any kind. We sympathise with them, however, we don’t know where the oxygen unit is,” she said.
