Limpopo MEC of Social Development, Florence Radzilani, has closed the Vutlhari Old Age and Disability Centre in Sekgosese and relocated its residents after uncovering human rights violations and inhumane living conditions affecting people with disabilities.
Radzilani closed the centre last week Friday, following her oversight visit, after allegations of dire living conditions and human rights violations.
The conditions at the centre were exposed by non-profit organisation, the Conty Lebepe Foundation, which is known in the province for exposing corruption and seeking accountability.
The organisation described conditions at the centre, located in Roerfontein village in the area, as akin to the “Life Esidimeni saga, Round Two, in Limpopo Province.”
Following that, the centre has since made headlines for its dire state and inadequate living conditions.
As Radzilani did a walkabout in the centre, she found deteriorated mattresses and worn-out blankets, rusted bed frames, dilapidated building, windows with no glasses, and a male patient found chained on his hands and feet.
Addressing the media at the centre, Radzilani expressed a concern that the conditions at the facility were unacceptable.
“I am not a social worker myself, I rely on the assessment report of the social workers in the department, but when we were making the rounds inside here, you can conclude that indeed that what is happening here is something which is seriously violating the legislations of this country.”
She said the centre is non-compliant, therefore it will no longer operate.
“The department’s social workers are busy with assessment of the centre, and the patients who do not have relatives or someone to look after them we have got a number of centres here in the province of Limpopo, meant for people like this ones,” she said.
The centre which started to operate in 1998 in the Vhembe area, but later relocated to the Sekgosese, was providing care to about 19 to 20 people living with different conditions, including disabilities to mental problems.
Owner of the centre, Pheko Baloyi, said that he approached several departments across the province seeking assistance, but no intervention was provided.
“The issue of compliance, I have got documents in blank and white, which includes a letter and a report showing that I went to various departments, including the department of social development seeking help until today.”
Furthermore, Conlef chairperson Tlou Moabelo, said they demand urgent action be taken against the centre’s owner, Baloyi, claiming that other patients had died at the old age centre, due to inhumane living conditions.
Joshua Kwapa, the spokesperson for the Limpopo Department of Social Development told IOL News that following the shutdown of the centre, patients have been moved to other facilities.
“All the 19 patients that were cared for at the centre have been moved to other facilities across the province. They are housed in different centres according to their needs, as some of them are old.”
Kwapa refused to disclose that to IOL News, when asked which facilities they have been moved to.
However, he said they have managed to reunite one patient with their family members and efforts to reunite the remaining patients are still continuing.
In addition, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the province said it will write to the Limpopo Legislature Social Development Portfolio Committee Chairperson to request Radzilani to appear before the committee to provide a progress report on moving patients at the centre and interventions taken in addressing the matter.
The party’s spokesperson on social development, Franco Marx, urged Radzilani to inform the portfolio committee on both measures implemented and planned interventions to address the crisis, now she is fully aware of the centre’s conditions.
“The DA would have expected her to immediately action the remedial options provided for in the Older Persons Act, Act 13 of 2006.”
“The objects of the Act include maintaining and promoting the status, wellbeing, safety and security of older persons with a view to maintain and protect the rights of older persons to ultimately combat the abuse of older persons.”
He emphasised that the situation requires urgent attention, which is something that Radzilani should consider as Public Hearings into the Older Person’s Amendment Bill are set to start tomorrow in the province.
“The new proposed insertion of Section 24A and 25B states that the government must remove older persons in need of care and protection without delay and can do so without a court order and, where necessary, enlist the assistance of the police to affect such closure.”
Marx said the horrific situation of the centre is the main reason why the legislation must be amended.
“As we celebrate Social Development month in October and celebrated International Day for Older persons on 1 October, it is a shame that older persons in the province are still subjected to such inhumane and undignified conditions.”
He said while Radzilani’s visit to old age homes after the revelations of poor conditions at Vuthlari is welcomed, however, it reflects years of negligence by the ANC led provincial government with no oversight and monitoring for compliance at old age facilities.
“The DA is committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society and will continue to monitor this issue,” Marx said.
IOL News