LISTEN | ’Unregistered’ old age home in Soweto still operating despite order to shut down

Motse o Moholo Home of the Elderly and Vulnerable Children in Doornkop,Soweto, remains operational despite the Gauteng department of social development recommending that the facility be closed because it does not comply with required standards. The home confirmed in a statement at the weekend that it is still caring for residents, saying it wanted to provide “the fuller picture” after media reports highlighting concerns about conditions at the facility. “We have read the recent reports carried bySowetanand eNCA, and we understand why they raised concern.

We share the same concern. But we also feel it’s important, out of fairness to our residents, staff and volunteers, to share the fuller picture,” the home said. The home disputed the impression created by some of the images published in recent coverage, saying several of the photographs dated back to 2017 and did not reflect its current condition.

The home said Gauteng social development MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko and senior officials conducted an unannounced visit on July 2. “There was so little time to prepare, no chance to put on a show. “What the MEC found was simply what our residents experience every single day — people who are well looked after, and a facility that is clean and cared for,” it said.

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Concerns were also raised about food storage and supply, with limited groceries available and some items lacking verifiable expiry dates or proper labelling. The inspection found the facility was operating without registration under the Older Persons Act, 2006, with concerns about management, compliance and residents’ wellbeing. According to the home, the department recommended that residents be moved to facilities better equipped to meet their needs. It said one resident had already been relocated.

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