Jericho Old Age Home Closed Following Tragic Incident

The Ipeleng Bagodi old age home in Jericho has been ordered to shut down by Social Development MEC Sussana Dantjie following a tragic incident where two elderly men killed another resident. The perpetrators, who were later arrested, subsequently died in prison. This closure comes after it was discovered that the facility had been operating without a license and failing to meet the minimum standards required for residential care of older persons.

MEC Dantjie convened a meeting on Tuesday with the management, board members, and traditional leaders to communicate her decision to close the facility. The closure is pending thorough consultation with the families of the elderly residents currently housed there.

“After reaching consensus with the affected families, we will move the current residents to other suitable facilities,” Dantjie stated. “We will visit all the affected families to inform them about our decision to close the facility and present them with alternative state-funded old age homes to choose from. We cannot stand by while the NPO Act and Older Persons Act are violated. We are the custodians of these acts.”

Dantjie emphasized the importance of compliance with the law, noting that the recent incidents at Ipeleng Bagodi served as a stark reminder of the need for stringent oversight. Her department plans to embark on a province-wide review of the registration status of all non-profit organizations operating in every ward and district.

The two-hour meeting saw unanimous agreement from community members and traditional leaders on the decision to close the facility while it addresses outstanding compliance issues. The centre manager has been given time to rectify these issues and reapply for an operating license.

This decisive action underscores the provincial government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of elderly citizens in residential care facilities.