Delmas – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Victor Khanye Local Municipality (VKLM) has called on the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Social Services, Dorcas Yeko, to immediately halt plans to sell three municipal owned old age homes. The party said the sale would endanger elderly residents and contravene laws protecting their welfare.
DA caucus leader Diane Bath described the municipality’s decision to sell the facilities as an “unconscionable act” that could leave hundreds of elderly residents without shelter.
“This is a blatant disregard of the Older Persons Act 13 of 2006, which prioritises the protection and well-being of the elderly,” Bath said in a statement. “Sacrificing older people to turn around the ANC’s financial mismanagement and maladministration is uncalled for.”
The proposal forms part of the municipality’s plan to convert its unfunded budget of more than R1 billion into a funded one. Mayor Vusi Buda recently circulated a communiqué outlining a budget recovery plan that identifies asset disposal, including the sale of the three retirement homes as a revenue source.
Bath said the plan would do little to solve the municipality’s financial crisis, estimating that the sale would raise only R13 million.
“It is unacceptable to throw the elderly into the streets because of unsustainable financial practices,” Bath said. “The municipality’s leadership has failed to put together realistic revenue targets or projections.”
In questions directed to Mayor Vusi Buda and MMC Yeko, we received a response but no one from the VKLM wanted to attach their names for attribution despite this being an official response. “When the Municipality is disposing of its assets, it does so in line with Section 14 of the Municipal Finance Management Act, 56 of 2003,” the municipality said, adding that any disposal process will follow proper legal and financial procedures.
The VKLM has long battled financial instability, with repeated audit disclaimers, low revenue collection rates and growing debt to external entities. “The low collection rate is what caused the problem we are in today,” Bath said. “With so much money owed to the municipality for services, Victor Khanye is in a financial spiral. The municipality must prioritise revenue generation as a sustainable alternative.”
The DA has also accused the municipality of contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and failing to implement proper internal controls. Bath said engagements between the municipality and the provincial government had not produced any progress toward stabilising local finances.
The DA has given the MMC Yeko 14 days to review and withdraw the decision to sell the homes, warning that failure to do so will result in escalation to the Department of Social Development.
“We are a law-abiding party and believe the municipality’s decision does not recognise the Older Persons Act,” she said. “Should we not get a favourable response, we will escalate this matter to the MEC for Social Development through our counterparts in the provincial legislature.”
She further committed to monitoring the municipality’s financial conduct and holding officials accountable through motions, questions, and statements in council.
“We will continue to expose the rot from time to time. The DA will not sit idle and let the ANC government do as they please with the elderly. We will keep advocating for the protection and dignified housing of old people,” said Bath.
