By OBAKENG MAJE
Some residents in John Taolo Gaetswe District in Northern Cape, raised concerns over Older Persons Amendment Bill. The Portfolio Committee on Social Development conducted a public hearing at Kagung Hall in Kuruman on Sunday.
The acting chairperson of the committee, Sthembile Hlongo said some residents were unhappy with the Bill’s Section 18A, deregistration, closing and revocation of registration of residential or community-based facilities in particular. Hlongo further said, however, they expressed their unequivocal support for the Bill.
“The elderly people told the committee about the shortage of centres for older persons in their communities. They said a submission was made requesting for the deregistration and closure of centres to be reconsidered.
“They suggested that, a person in charge of the community-based care or residential facility, be afforded an opportunity of no less than three months to make written representations in respect of the closure, deregistration or revocation of registration and not “less than 30 days” as stipulated on the Bill,” she said.
Hlongo added that, the participants pleaded for monitoring, evaluation and training to be considered. She said residents highlighted that, three months will be enough for the existing centre to meet the requirements.
“The elderly people in Taolo Gaetswe District also complained about standing in queues with young people to access services. They told the committee about lack of safety when they are standing in long queues at the banks and get exposed to robbery allegedly in full view of the police and nothing is done.
“They called for prioritisation of elderly people in queues or elderly people to be in separate queues for any services at both public and private centres, where they require services,” she said.
Hlongo said they also highlighted the long distance they are forced to travel to reach banks to access their grants. She said they made a plea for the Bill to make provision for them to be trained on the use of technology such as ATMs and cell phones because they rely on their children to withdraw their grants who do not give them in full.
“I would like to thank participants for their meaningful participation and for attending the hearings. The promotion of public participation is one of Parliament’s constitutional mandates.
“The committee will accept written submissions for all those who still wish to express their views on the Bill. Submissions can be emailed to lntsabo@parliament.gov.za,” said Hlongo.
Meanwhile, the committee is today hold holding the public hearings at Francis Baard District Municipality at Kimberly City Hall in Kimberly from 10:00 – 14:00.
The Guardian 