Parliament, Friday, 4 October 2024 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, Ms Bridget Masango, has noted with regret the media reports relating to the circulation of images on social media platforms of the older persons of the Vuthlari Old Age and Disability Centre in Sekgosese in Limpopo.
According to these reports, the images are in the possession of a human rights organisation, which has warned that the old age home could become the next “Life Esidimeni tragedy” if the government does not step in to improve the living conditions at the centre. The organisation has called on the Department of Social Development to relocate the older persons to better accommodation, the media reports say.
It is alleged that the older persons have no mattresses and are obliged to sleep on the floor using thin, dirty blankets to cover themselves. It is also alleged that the food supplied by the centre is inadequate, that older persons must bathe in cold water and that the death rate for residents is worryingly high.
Ms Masango said the images are shocking and it is unacceptable for older persons to be living in such conditions. It is particularly shocking in the context that South Africa commemorated International Day of Older Persons on 1 October, she noted.
“The committee is calling on the relevant government departments at all the spheres of government for a swift and qualitative intervention to Vuthlari Old Age and Disability Centre to salvage the older persons in that very bad situation,” said Ms Masango. She added that the committee is calling for the provision of basic services to the older persons. “We are not calling for an extraordinary service, but just a constitutional right to a decent life.”
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, MS BRIDGET MASANGO.
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