DA asks Minister Zulu for clarity on Gauteng old-age home which remains empty after 8 years

10 November 2020

The Democratic Alliance (DA) will submit parliamentary questions to the Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, and the Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Thuliswa Nkabinde-Khawe, regarding a report that an old-age home in the West Rand in Gauteng have stood empty for the past eight years.

According to a City Press story, the Mohlakeng 20 Prototype Old Age Home in Randfontein has not had a single occupant since it’s completion eight years ago. Since its registration as a non-profit organization in 2012, the home has received millions of rands from government, yet it remains empty.

While structural damages have been cited as the main reason the home built to house more than 70 residents remains unoccupied, it begs the question of why it would be launched and 26 people employed if these damages were a potential danger. Questions about how the annual allowance from government of between R1 million and R3 million since 2012 has been spent, if not on fixing these alleged structural defects, should be asked.

Many of the original beneficiaries have died waiting to receive care at the home. It is reprehensible that a structure designed to care for the frail and elderly stands as a white elephant while people in desperate need are left to die alone. The Gauteng government had eight years to solve any and all problems regarding the home. It cannot continue to pour money into a place that might never have occupants at this rate.

Issued by Bridget Masango, DA Shadow Minister of Social Development, 10 November 2020