In the article “Bejaarde ‘voel onveilig’ in Communicare-eenhede” published in TygerBurger on 15 February, comment was obtained from Communicare and published as part of the article.
While TygerBurger included the street and unit from where the complaints originated in its enquiry to Communicare, the questions posed to Communicare, however, only related to maintenance, security, and rent-related issues – especially among its elderly residents – in general and did not include the specific complaints by resident Lucy Onkers that was mentioned in the article.
The following specific claims made by Onkers was not included in the enquiry:
- That Communicare does not reach out to her for maintenance in any way;
- Communicare indicated someone would come to look at the place, but (at time of print) no one had been there yet;
- the toilets next door to Onkers overflowed and damaged her floors; and
- Communicare did not respond when armed people walked through the neighbourhood.
TygerBurger apologises for this oversight and any inconvenience it may have caused, hereby giving Communicare its right to reply on these specific claims.
‘Communicare cares for tenants’ Makhosi Kubheka, COO at Communicare, responds as follows:
“Communicare regrets the delayed response to the article ‘Bejaarde ‘voel onveilig’ in Communicare-eenhede’ by Jo Sekepane, published in Tygerburger on 17 February.
“Communicare aims to address the inaccuracies and negative sentiments expressed in the article that has brought its reputation into question.
“As a non-profit social enterprise, Communicare is dedicated to providing both affordable and social housing. The social housing rentals can be very low, some at R650 per month.
“This is made possible through a cross-subsidising model.
“Contrary to the perception created by the article, Communicare does care for elderly tenants.
“However, accommodating tenants who retire on state pensions and who have specialised needs at deeply subsidised rentals presents significant challenges for an organisation with limited social welfare capacity.
“Communicare can only accommodate seniors under 65 who can live independently.
“While Communicare tries hard to make tenants comfortable, it is not licensed to provide care for the elderly, a misconception fuelled by the article.
“All complexes have 24-hour on-site security.
“Providing security for individual houses is not feasible with subsidised rentals.
“Additional security is employed when needed, particularly during building hijackings,” Kubheka says.
Regarding Onkers’ concerns, Communicare says it is important to clarify the facts below:
• A building hijacking occurred in a vacant property adjacent to Onkers. Communicare does not have the authority to evict building hijackers or disconnect their electricity. Acquiring an eviction order is done through the courts, often over many years. The sheriff of the court then actions the eviction.
• In the last six years, Onkers lodged 12 cases, of which 10 were successfully resolved, and two are being attended to. • Communicare cannot provide immediate security as expected by Onkers when “armed men walk through the neighbourhood”. Tenants are advised to contact the police, their neighbourhood watch or community policing forum.
• Onkers was offered alternative accommodation in a security complex. However, she declined the offer.
