The Western Cape Social Development Department is investigating the Elizabeth Roos Home after a mentally disabled woman was viciously attacked, allegedly by another patient.
Family of Lee-Ann Solomon, 32, say patients were unsupervised during the attack which left her with a large gash to her head and cuts and bruises on her arm.
Her sister, Gillian Solomon, 38, says Lee-Ann has been at the home in District Six for four years as she required full-time care after their mother died.
SCENE: Lee-Ann was ‘attacked’ by a fellow Elizabeth Roos Home patient. Photo: Supplied
Gillian says she was called to the home on Thursday, 23 August, where staff said her sister was injured and she would not let anyone touch her.
“I got a call from the manager, Tertia Barkhuizen, telling me my sister had a head injury and there was a lot of blood. She couldn’t say what had happened, but they were struggling to give her medical help because she would not allow anyone close to her,” says Gillian.
“I could not get answers. I found her in the manager’s office and everyone was running around not knowing what to do.
“I took her to Somerset Hospital myself because there was no sense of urgency at the home. They had taken her across the road to District Six clinic but they could not assist.”
Gillian got a J88 form and reported the matter to police and an assault case was opened.
She then took her sister home to Athlone and returned to Elizabeth Roos Home with police to view the CCTV footage, in which she says she saw one of the patients attacking her sister.
“The footage was played in such haste but from what I could see, my sister and a few other residents were sitting in the kitchen while the residents were cleaning rooms,” she says.
“All of a sudden, one of the (female) residents comes in and punches my sister and in the corner of the room we see her (the attacker) taking a cutting board she hit her with.”
HURT: Huge gash in her head. Photo: Supplied
On Tuesday, Gillian says she met with Afrikaanse Christelike Vrouevereniging(ACVV) CEO Elsje Büchner and other managers where they revealed “disturbing information”.
“They confirmed that they cannot provide 24-hour supervision to oversee the residents and keep them safe even though they are getting paid monthly +-R5000 from all the residents.
“They also confirmed that they have one of the intellectually disabled residents monitoring the cameras, which is absurd.
“They confirmed again that the resident who assaulted my sister is still on the premises, which means the other residents are still at risk of being hurt.
“I ended the meeting because by what was said, they are not intending to do anything to help my sister.”
Social development department spokesperson, Esther Lewis, confirms they have received the complaint and are investigating the matter.
Barkhuizen and Büchner did not respond to queries.