No maintenance done at Presidentia

The Advertiser visited the complex with DA councillor Dean Stone, where Petra Verwey (who the residents see as the caretaker) pointed out these problems.

Since February Verwey has reported several problems to the metro’s housing department in Springs, to no avail.

An 85-year-old resident’s son, Louis Blignaut, says his mother has been without water since January.

Metro spokesman Themba Gadebe, says the energy department has been made aware of the problem and the matter was referred to the contractors who installed the solar geysers in December.

“The said department was in the process of finalising the tender for the maintenance of the geysers. The matter has been resolved and all the geysers were fixed,” he adds.

But Verwey says more than one person is without warm water and nothing has been done to solve the problem.

Stone says when Verwey asked him to visit he was shocked to see how poorly the buildings are maintained.

“Roofs are rusted and leaking onto the ceilings, gutters are blocked and rusted, not to mention the rusted frames of the glass front doors to each house,” adds Stone.

Gadebe says, with regard to external painting, and other issues, the department has a maintenance plan in place. However, it is noted that roof leaks are attended to when reported.

He adds, tenants are responsible for the wear and tear, like replacement of tap washers, broken windows and replacing putty.

Residents’ families are concerned for their safety as they get onto ladders and climb into trees to cut down branches that the metro was asked to cut.

Gadebe says the works order for the cutting of trees has been processed and the human settlements department is awaiting the official order from stores.

Stone is unhappy about the fact the drainage systems at various units does not function properly as well as some of the electrical plugs and switches which are not working at all.

“In one house a man has been without electricity, except for the light in the lounge, since March 4,” says Verwey.

All Dennis Doyle’s wall plugs in his house are out of order.

He says he reported it to Verwey who reported it to the metro, but nothing has been done.

According to Stone, it is unacceptable as no senior citizen should live under these circumstances.

He wants to know why the metro says there is no money for maintenance?

Gadebe says this claim is unfounded and asked if proof can be provided of this allegation.

“The department, during the course of each financial year, allocates funding for major maintenance in council-owned complexes,” he adds.

“However, during each financial year different complexes are identified as it is not possible to attend to all the complexes at once.”

According to the current tenants’ lease agreement signed with the human settlements department, they are responsible for the painting of their units.

“The external facebrick structure does not require painting, but the inside of the units are painted as and when the units become vacant,” says Gadebe.

He concludes all complaints reported are attended to after receipt of an official order from the metro’s stores department, however, emergencies and life-threatening complaints are dealt with immediately.