Salvation Army blues (video)

Hey, where are all the building contractors, etc? Maybe even some of the builders who are not working at the moment, not really busy, etc can get involved here.

Yes, I know that you finish helping the one and another one comes along that also needs help but isn’t that what it is all about? Helping those who are unable to help themselves (except government officials who are pretty good at helping themselves)?

Anyway, the conditions there look about the same as my flat!

Hi Gobatt and others so concerned:

Thanks for the nice words! Appreciated.
I am busy analysing the video from an engineering point of view. Regarding these ‘faults’ found according to the video: how long have said faults been there? The fire escape appears to a mild steel galvanised unit. One would assume that said unit installed had to meet SABS 400 Building Regs. or BS Standards of which SABS are a carbon copy of same anyway, etc. The Quigney/Southerwood is a rust area, yes. However the designer at the time would have taken that fact into consideration and allow for rust formation limitations.
Even a GMS Roof sheeting has an approx: 20 year lfespan, depending on painting frequency, type of planned maintenance and quality of paint undercoat and preparation utilized. The rising damp just above the shower areas indicate to me that ventilation or an extraction ceiling fan could remedy. Is the affected paint proper approved enamel? Likewise the peeling paint on the upper bedrooms walls appear to be just above the bed in the corner. Again a good ceiling extraction fan could remedy. Folks probably have been keeping their windows closed for too long periods. I note no airbricks in rooms either. So. Then use ceiling fans – not expensive. Low amperage anyway. (damp sensor can activate) Also when last were these walls painted, preparation prior to refinishing, etc.
The electrical upgrades can be done by any good Spark worth his salt and who has a Wireman’s License, therefor an Accredited Workman. Get a quote from an well known Approved Electrical Contractor. Do same with Civils needed in the Salisbury House and then forward the whole projected cost of same to Salvation Army’s HQ for approval in writing. There s nothing to lose in doing so! I ponder their feedback in this regard! I think even Eddie Botha will be surprised…!
Please feel free and post any further developments regarding Salisbury House on this blog.

I take a keen interest herein from point of view of fairness, morality and respect for Law and God.

Respectfully.
Jay

ps: Salisbury House appears to be a “Solidly Built” construction. Even Lancaster House in Vincent was never demolished, but merely cosmetically beautified and repainted. The basic well engineered structure is still intact.
From the internal video about Salisbury House, I could not see any structural integrity issues. To confirm, please seek the conclusive evaluation from a local Professional Structural Engineer.
Jay

Jay, you certainly know your onions ! Thanks for a comprehensive and valuable contribution toward the solution of the problem . You have given the residents hope and cheer for the time being.

Why is this not being funded by the National Lottery Board? I can’t believe that the mayor can spend taxpayer’s money on overseas trips & fuel bills but she couldn’t give a rat’s *** about people & organisations who really need that money…

All is not lost!

The Law is there to protect everybody – especially the Elderly in SA.
Has similar and suitable alternative accommodation with the same benefits been arranged? Where? By whom and when, etc.
We have the well known PIE Law (Prevention of Illegal Eviction), amongst other Laws protecting Pensioners. Under which Law is said Eviction been undertaken?
No one can just willy-nilly evict people at pensionable age who have no recourse.
SAHRC is also there. This could turn into a Human Rights issue – if persued.
Estoppel and occupancy Laws come into play here. A mini Class Action could also work quite nicely. In other words – utilize one Lawyer to represent the pensioners as one group. Their plight and Legal Standing is beyond doubt. Can’t afford a Lawyer? No problem, approach The Legal Aid Board with this case, obviously having excellent merit. Pensioners should elect their own representative asap. Getting a good case to Court will buy time and delay all until sanity can prevail.

Why has this issue now suddenly come to the fore? Have ALL other Old Age Homes been evaluated? If so, where is the list of the evaluated Old Age Homes? Are only Salvation Army homes being inspected? What are the comments on the inspection lists, etc. (Freedom of Information Act comes into play as well). When were these Old Age Homes last evaluated and by whom. Are there any COC’s available? (Certificates Of Compliance). Have all these intricacies been looked at? The Credentials of the Inspectors also need to be confirmed, etc. Is their any structural life threatening conditions prevailing? Has ANY resident ever been hurt or injured in the EL Salvation Army building and when? Incident reports, etc. Please specify these so-called building unfitness factors in detail – if any? Are said Inspector(s) from an Accredited Structural Building-Engineering Consultancy firm. Who are they? The public has the right to know!

EVICTION IN THIS REGARD IN CERTAINLY NOT A WALK IN THE PARK!

The Salvation Army management can raise funds via collection through the local news media and approach good hearted Civil Contractors in the City of EL. I know there is much goodwill among decent and kind folks in the Civil Engineering sector in East London – its a matter of honour after all. Salisbury House is a landmark, historical building and needs to be saved. This building can be upgraded in phases, in a planned equitable and realistic fashion. The Civil and/or Electrical Professional Engineer’s Society of SA should be contacted asap. Their expert and respected input will be of great value in this regard. Get expert qualified opinion on Paper! Everything needs to be recorded on paper and stored on a folder, even backed up.

A mere extra bathrooms and rewiring Salisbury House IS NOT rocket science.
Lame excuse methinks.
Building Plans can be looked at and re-configured to suit. I know, because that’s how I earn my living!

Good ideas to help out! However, once Salisbury house has been sorted out, there will be another crisis and another and another… when does it all end? They should be ashamed of themselves, but then I wonder if any of them has a conscience!

We have a problem here and we all need to do something about it. Rather than a petition, let’s start a “once off” fund to save Salisbury House. Daily Dispatch, has you hour come to do something big ? Can you ask Eddie Botha, who has a deeply embedded heart for social concern, to head up the project ? The city has need of you now.

GAvin I beg to differ. In the rural areas they build 400 toilets first in the middle of nowhere and then 10 years later they add the houses ?!

I say SCREW the government and the departments!!!! Can we through this very newspaper start a campaign to collect the materials and electrical goodies that would be needed to make some repairs?? I am a qualified electrician and would be willing to give of my time to help fix things. I am sure there are others who will do the same. Jan, you have my email address, lets make some kind of plan.

I think that the way society treats the old people is disguisting! Havn’t these people suffered enough in their lives. We as a community need to start sticking together and help the elderly. I may not have the monies to contribute but I have two working hands and alot of love to give!!

REOAH – problem with that lot at BCM is that their world doesn’t extend beyond a free lunch, their comfy office, kFC and the odd free trip to buy coats in Turkey. They don’t give a toss about publicity as long as it doesn’t get up their snouts while they feed in the trough.
Loved this though….”Spokesperson for the Department of Social Development Zanele Mngadi could not confirm this when contacted by the Dispatch and said she could only comment next week.”…. when she is on holiday/off sick or unavailable.”
Typical ! When are any of them ever available for comment unless they can ride the gravy train a little further or milk the situation to their full advantage. See how many of this faceless/unavailable lot will be VERY available when the 2010 roadshow hits SA and they have a chance to swan with the celebs.

I’ve just had a wicked thought.

Let’s compare this issue with that of the farm-residents in Mthatha who are refusing (http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=359791) to move until someone finds them acceptable alternative accommodation.

What happens if these elderly people refuse to move until they have an acceptable alternative?

World-wide publicity for BCM again! I think I must start a petition

I’ve just been reminded that this was the Dept behind the closing of the House On The Rock. Does anyone know what happened to those children, because I’m told that they had to change schools also – from a non-state school to a state one?
How’s that for a caring, forward-looking move?

REOAH – is this facility any worse than the RDP houses being built ? Two bathrooms per corridor …. compared to zero bathrooms per 100 houses in deprived areas. Same dept with the same responsibility but different rules.
Agreed Darren. Just some paper-folder flapping his lips.
Surely the cost would be less for the dept to help with upgrading than trying to re-house the residents. And why a ‘private company’ to do the inpection ?? How much did that cost ?
Where are the BCM building inpectors ? Oops my error. Not interested, not qualified, not in the office, not their job, not any money to be made through a bribe etc etc. What is the bet that the ‘private company’ will help find a builder to sort the problem out.
Classic case of putting the cart before the horse. The sooner these dumb asses are hoofed out the sooner things will be stable.

Typical of govt – throw out those not padding their pockets, after a “pop” inspection. Do they offer aid? No. Do they offer alternatives? No. All they do is come with a big stick to throw out onto the street the infirm and elderly. This is another example of how amoral, disgusting, and utterly defunct this government is as a whole. Thank you for electing the ANC – they will continue to shank you whilst you thank them for it.

Will someone please tell me what the Dept of Social Development will be doing to accommodate the elderly, sick, infirm and helpless that they have now effectively rendered homeless?

Perhaps these people too could be accommodated at government expense, not in 5-star hotels even, but in shelters, such as the Sally Ann hostel, where someone cares for them, puts food in their stomachs, and a roof over their heads?

Would it not make more sense for the Dept of Social Development to intervene on behalf of the multitude of apparently homeless vagrants and street children we see around town?

Or would that be too difficult?