Gatesville pensioners are demanding action from Human Settlements MEC, Tertuis Simmers, for failing to address maintenance issues.
The group marched to the MEC’s offices this week, saying they are gatvol of empty promises as they continue to live in crumbling rental stock units.
Fowzia Veerasamy, spokesperson for Gatesville Tenants Committee, says Simmers could face legal action as their pleas for repairs fall on deaf ears.
“These units are 50 years old and are rental stock owned by the provincial human settlements department,” she says.
“There are 18 blocks with 136 units, which are home to over 1000 people.
“Of this, 90% are pensioners who live in vrot, crumbling flats as the department makes no effort to carry out any maintenance.”
Fowzia says the flats pose a health risk to sickly ou mense who face collapsing roofs, crumbling beams and mould.
She says the Committee sent a lawyer’s letter to Simmers’ department and demanded response within a week.
“If they fail to get back to us or do not come up with a plan, we will be approaching the High Court to force them to fix these flats,” adds Fowzia.
Department spokesperson Muneera Allie confirms they have received the letter:
“During 2019, the Department kicked-off the project by appointing consultants to attend to investigations ahead of planned construction of remedial work.
“The investigations were somewhat delayed during 2020 due to Covid, with consultants not being able to access the site for a period of time.
“Investigations were concluded in early October 2021.”
Construction and further repair work to make the Gatesville Flats structurally sound and sealed off from the elements is anticipated to be complete by February 2023, she added.