After more than eight years of conflict, complaints and sustained community pressure, the Department of Social Development (DSD) has finally brought an end to a protracted governance battle at three Sydenham old age homes, clearing the way for a newly elected board to take control amid mounting debt and operational challenges.
The Department has formally recognised the board elected at the Durban Council of South African Women’s (DCSAW) Annual General Meeting in July 2025 as the legitimate governing authority of Mary Asher Old Age Home for Women, St Gabriel’s Home for Men and St Michael’s Hostel for Women. The decision effectively removes what the Department has deemed an unauthorised board that had remained in place for years without proper accountability.
For more than eight years, the three homes were governed by a board that failed to provide documentary proof of lawful election or compliance with the Nonprofit Organisations Act 71 of 1997, despite repeated requests from the Department. The prolonged standoff fuelled frustration among residents and the wider Sydenham community, who accused the board of operating without transparency while elderly residents bore the consequences.
The turning point came in 2022 when residents and community leaders formed a task team to revive the homes and push for accountability. The task team engaged the former board, demanded access to financial records and escalated concerns to the Department of Social Development and other oversight bodies, warning that years of inaction had placed the future of the homes at serious risk.
Their efforts, supported by parliamentary oversight from MP Shontel de Boer, led to intensified intervention by the Department, which repeatedly stated that its primary concern was the protection of elderly residents in line with the Older Persons Act 13 of 2006.
Following extensive engagements, including a virtual meeting held on 22 December 2025, the Department concluded its governance intervention and ruled in favour of the newly elected board. The board has now assumed full governance, fiduciary and operational responsibility for DCSAW (NPO Registration Number: 002-227) and the three homes, which collectively care for approximately 90 elderly residents.
The newly recognised board comprises Carl Lortan (chairperson), Penny Lambert (secretary), Marilyn Haupt (treasurer), Sharon Sewshanker (public relations and communications), Elyse Brisset (governance) and Malcolm Solomon (maintenance). DCSAW operates from 16 Williamson Place, Sparks Estate, Durban.
In its findings, the Department cited serious governance failures under the former administration, including attempts to change DCSAW’s legal status to a non-profit company without a valid mandate, failure to submit annual compliance reports and audited financial statements, and operating with fewer than the constitutionally required number of board members without convening a special general meeting.
The Department’s investigation also raised concerns about fundraising activities conducted under the former administration. The new board has alleged that donations were collected into an unauthorised bank account — a claim it says was confirmed during the Department’s inquiry.
In response, the new board has warned the public that DCSAW’s banking details have changed and that any previous accounts linked to the former board are no longer authorised to receive donations. Members of the public wishing to support the homes have been urged to verify banking details directly with chairperson Carl Lortan.
Despite the victory, the new board faces significant challenges, including municipal debt exceeding R400 000, ageing infrastructure and severely strained resources. Lortan said the board is committed to stabilising the homes and rebuilding trust.
“This has been a long and painful journey for residents and the community,” he said. “Our focus now is on compliance, transparency and responsible financial management, while ensuring residents receive the dignity and care they deserve.”
The board has committed to restoring full compliance with the NPO Act, implementing sound financial controls, submitting audited financial statements and ensuring open and inclusive annual general meetings.
Residents have welcomed the decision as long overdue. Jeanette van Boomen, who has lived at Mary Asher Home for 10 years, said residents had waited years for a legitimate AGM.
“We finally succeeded in having an AGM and electing a new board with the help of the task team,” she said. “For too long there was no communication with the former committee. We believe we now have people who care about us as residents, and we are hopeful for change. We are even seeing improvements, like having a clinic on the premises — something we never thought we would have.”
In a written response, the former or unauthorised board rejected allegations of mismanagement, neglect and financial irregularities, insisting that no court, regulator or oversight body had made such findings against DCSAW. The board also disputed claims of a R400 000 electricity debt, stating that the organisation had an approved municipal payment arrangement of approximately R200 000 and that financial strain arose after residents were encouraged to withhold rent.
The former board further alleged that the governance dispute was driven by political interference and said the matter remained under legal scrutiny.
“There is a governance dispute. It has not been resolved and will be resolved through lawful processes,” the statement read.
For the Sydenham community, the Department’s ruling marks the end of an eight-year struggle — and the beginning of a fragile but hopeful new chapter for some of Durban’s most vulnerable residents.
