By Nkosenhle Sibisi
Allegations of inhumane living conditions and mistreatment of patients at the Durban and Coastal Mental Health facility in Sherwood have surfaced and are causing uproar among family members who have entrusted the care of their loved ones at the hands of the non-profit organisation.
This comes after power supply at the facility was cut by the eThekwini Municipality due to non-payment and the withdrawal of caterers, who are responsible for providing a well balanced diet, not receiving payment. The mental health facility currently house 80 patients.
One family member who did not want to be named said her brother has lived at the DCMH Sherwood Residence for over 35 years. She said during her visits, she found the conditions of the facility shocking and worrying.
“The conditions of the hostel are appalling, there is just a lot that is not being done right and it is so sad because these facilities house a vulnerable group. The people in there are mentally handicapped, they cannot do much for themselves and it is heart-wrenching to see what they have to experience on a daily basis,” the woman said.
She said that due to the high electricity bill, the eThekwini Municipality disconnected electricity, leaving patients in the dark and agitated. “The patients get agitated easily when the power goes off as most of them do not understand what is going on. Another concern is that some patients are diabetic and their insulin needs to be refrigerated, now how is that going to be done when there is no power?” she asked. “As family members, we are tired and we have been fighting this for years. At some point, the staff connected a cable from the head office and this puts patients at risks of being electrocuted especially when it is raining.”
Another family member who did not want to be named, in fear for her sister’s safety, said it was sad to see what her sibling is going through. She said: “The issue of the DCMH is sad because it is what my sister knows as her home. She has been living there from a very young age. The organisation has not been doing justice to our family members. Recently, the food caterers pulled out as they were not being paid and now the patients depend on the food cooked by the staff with the help of food donations from generous donors and family members.”
“What makes things worse is that the Department of Health is aware of this and they have sent an MEC but nothing tangible has been done to resolve the issue. I read on the news that the residence is owing almost R2 million and this is concerning because the organisation is funded by the DoH and the Social Development. As family members, we have had enough of the mismanagement of funds, and we want the government to direct funds to an external trusted and responsible body that will make sure that the funds are used in the right places,” said the family member.
Liesel Muhl, former board member at the DCMH, said the organisation cares for some of eThekwini’s most vulnerable residents, people with mental and psychological disabilities. “To see these lovely people suffering because of those who are tasked to look after them only caring about their image and back pocket is not fair. DCMH has so much potential to flourish with programmes that change the lives of users and their families. Seeing how the funds have been squandered and how donations have come to a grinding halt due to the irregularities is so heart breaking,” said Muhl.
She said that the community needs to join hands and stand together in saying “enough is enough”. “I really call on all South Africans to put up their hands and do their bit in these NPO’s so that those who don’t have the heart of the users cannot hijack more of these NPO’s. Seeing a user lying in their own urine will never leave my mind,” said Muhl.
Mbonisi Sibisi, chief executive officer at the DCMH, confirmed that some service providers such as food caterers have withdrawn their services, but said the issue of non-payments over the past 12 months has been reduced by approximately 90%.
“This is a positive trajectory that the organisation seeks to sustain. Our greater efforts will also remain attentive in dealing with legacy debts that have been inherited, including exploring self-sustenance efforts and creative ways of running our affairs. It is true that Fedics, one of the food caterers, is withdrawing their services, however DCMH continues to provide nutritious meals daily. DCMH will not comment further on the contractual engagement between service providers and DCMH. The DCMH however appreciates genuine concerns raised genuinely by members of society and all. Utility bills remain an ongoing threat to institutional survival of non-profit organisation,” said Sibisi.
Warren Burne, ward 30 councillor, said the happenings at DCMH are tragic and called on the relevant departments to intervene. “I have been hearing about the difficulties at the home in Sherwood for about a year. During or about July 2021, I was asked by SAPS Sydenham to attend hostile protest at the DCMH’s premises at Sherwood, by staff who were incensed by the failure or refusal of the MEC for Health and the MEC for Social Development to step in and to stop the rot at the organisation. As far as I am aware, the two MECs have still not yet done anything about this tragedy since then. An investigation was done, and a comprehensive report has been furnished, and yet, as far as I am aware, nothing has been done to rein in the incompetent and compromised leadership. The municipal bill has not been paid for a long time, and about R 1.9m is owing. There will be casualties soon, and the two MECs will have to take responsibility,” said Burne.
