A sickly ouma who first applied for a ground floor apartment in 1992 is still pleading with the City of Cape Town to fulfil its promise to her.
At first, Muriel Minnaar, 67, wanted a two-bedroom flat to accommodate her family but now her health has deteriorated and she is in desperate need of a suitable space.
She suffers from heart disease, arthritis, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and was declared physically unfit in a medical document she showed to the Daily Voice.
“I can’t do stairs, I struggle walking a long distance as I get short breath and I’m on pills to stabilise myself,” explains the ouma.
“(The City) asked for a doctor’s report, which I submitted and I was approved for a downstairs house and told to wait for one to be available.
“I waited, but to my surprise that is not going to happen anymore.
“I received a correspondence saying they regret letting me know I don’t qualify for it.
“But how, if the City already approved it a year ago?
“I am upset and disappointed and do not know what to do anymore. I need help, please.”
Muriel lives with her two grandchildren, aged four and 15, and relies on house visits by her daughter for shopping and other errands.
Malusi Booi, Mayco member for Human Settlements, says: The City is aware of Ms Minaar’s request to be transferred to ground floor accommodation.
“The required medical reports were submitted to determine whether Ms Minaar’s condition warrants priority.
“Ms Minaar will be assisted in transfer request date order.
“It will likely be many years before she can be assisted for accommodation of her choice.
“Regrettably, since units on the ground floor generally are at a premium, vacancies of that type very rarely occur and it will be a considerable time before the City will be able to assist Ms Minaar.”