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Vulnerable elderly residents of Annie Burger, Xavier and Carrick Retirement Villages are fearing for their health and safety following exposure to severe sewer and water leaks which have flooded their villages due to collapsing infrastructure.

The dilapidated sewage infrastructure of these old-age villages’, fall under the Department of Human Settlement. The pipe bursts are exposing the elderly to raw sewage, posing a serious health hazard, especially those who make use of oxygen machines and are chronically ill.

The DA investigated the matter and discovered that apart from the collapsing infrastructure, some copper sewer pipes had been stolen. This has resulted in water flooding the retirement villages for the past two weeks.

After several calls for help by the DA, the Provincial Department of Human Settlement visited the retirement villages but to date, nothing has been done to address this ongoing disaster.

The health and safety of the elderly living at Annie Burger, Xavier and Carrick Retirement Villages are at risk. Dirty and idling water can cause various diseases like Malaria, diarrhea and skin rashes. It is unacceptable that residents are subjected to these living conditions.

The DA demands that the Departments of Human Settlement and Social Development work together to find a contingent plan, that will fix the dilapidating sewer infrastructure at these retirement villages.

We will also liaise with our counterparts in the provincial Legislature to put pressure on the various departments, including the Department of Community Safety to assist with necessary patrolling to deal with the criminals taking advantage of these retirement villages.

The DA will continue to fight for the basic rights of our elderly citizens, as they are a valuable part of our society.

Issued by Cllr Stuart Marais - DA Councillor in Ward 54, Johannesburg