In a last-ditch attempt to turn things around at the beleaguered KSE Kraaifontein Tehuis in Scottsville, the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) has decided to bring in an independent auditor to assist the home for the elderly.
This followed a meeting between its current board and department officials, where a decision was taken to offer the services of expert Dr Louw Pieterse, who will serve as administrator and mentor.
Heading the Institute for Contemporary Research Africa, he has a wealth of experience and knowledge in assisting residential facilities for the elderly with financial-management and governance issues.
“While the department provides funding to residential facilities these are owned and managed by NGOs, so the department cannot take their management over,” Western Cape Minister of Social Development Jaco Londt said after the meeting.
“So one of Pieterse’s first tasks will be to help the board call an annual general meeting so a new board can be elected as per the constitution of the facility.
“The department has received numerous complaints over the years about KSE Kraaifontein Tehuis. Every time there has been a complaint lodged DSD officials have followed-up to investigate and made recommendations for issues to be addressed. Unfortunately the situation remains unstable, with norms and standards not being upheld.”
The death of 10 elderly people at the home over three weeks in May last year from a stomach virus was preceded by allegations of neglect and a shortage of food made to the department.
KSE Kraaifontein Tehuis is a non-profit organisation that is independently run and receives a government subsidy of R3 541 for each resident who receives a Sassa pension. In terms of legislation up to 90% of a resident’s Sassa pension may also be deducted for care. At the time last year there were approximately 136 residents in the home.
Well-being of elderly a priority
Speaking to TygerBurger after the deaths last year, residents alleged that vulnerable elderly people were often neglected. In a letter to the department a volunteer at the home alleged that very little and unsavoury food were served to residents at the home, this while employees took food donations for the elderly from Woolworths home. She also reported incidents where weak elderly people are left dirty with no assistance in cleaning themselves.
She told the department she at times has had to intervene to get the elderly washed.
A spokesperson for the department, Ester Lewis, informed TygerBurger last year that these complaints were investigated in March 2024, during which officials inspected the premises. A meeting was held where interventions were discussed with the residence committee.
At the time a plan to improve service delivery at the home was put in place that included a health audit and discussion with a dietician.
Lewis stated that the department continued to work with the home to monitor conditions. Allegations made about the quality of service and care there were denied by the home’s management.
Londt added that while the department cannot get involved in the management of non-governmental facilities the department can provide guidance and support.
He said on Friday: “The priority is the well-being of the elderly residents, who deserve competent leadership that will step-up and do what is needed to turn things around.
“I would like to thank the board for accepting Dr Pieterse’s assistance. If we can bring stability back to this facility there will be an improvement in services for the residents who call it home. They deserve to be cared for with dignity and the utmost respect. We are hopeful Dr Pieterse can help them move in this direction and there is a willingness from all parties involved to do what is best for the residents.
“The department encourages the public to inform us of any alleged abuse or neglect of residents at any facility for the elderly so we may investigate, and we also wish to caution against sharing unverified or false allegations, as has sometimes been the case with KSE Kraaifontein Tehuis. The department will give the administrator the opportunity to do his job by enforcing the rules and regulations of the facility as set by its Constitution and the Older Person’s Act.”
