MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Residents of Benevolent Park senior citizens' complex and members of the community gathered in the parking area outside the complex on Wednesday, 23 April, to protest against the bid to evict seven of the residents.
They also had complaints about the current management and the board of directors of the complex.
Grady Brooks, Daphne Clark, Ray Abrahams, Christeva Breda, Marlin Breda, Ferdi Roelfse and Valencia Fourie are the residents facing possible eviction from Benevolent Park.
The seven appeared in the Mossel Bay Magistrate's Court in February to oppose the eviction order and are now awaiting a new court date.
Memorandum of demands
Mossel Bay Mayor Dirk Kotzé and representatives of the National Department of Social Development made a brief appearance at the protest, to receive a memorandum listing the group's demands.
One of the Benevolent Park board directors, Arthur Riordan, told Mossel Bay Advertiser the board would have no problem overturning the eviction order, as long as the seven comply with the rules of the seniors' complex.
According to Riordan, the eviction order was applied for due to the alleged issues of unpaid rent, refusal to sign the home's Code of Conduct, disobeying house rules and refusing to become members of the non-profit company.
A member of the unhappy group, calling for protection of the elderly and demanding that seven residents are not evicted. Photo: Gabriélla Siebritz
Daphne Clark, one of the residents facing eviction, spoke to the crowd and claimed that the seven had been denied access to Benevolent Park facilities, such as the sick bay and dining room.
Second protest
On the other side of the fence, on the Benevolent Park grounds, a second, quieter protest was under way at the same time.
These residents demonstrated in the quest for peace, asking that they be left out of the politics of the matter. "We are very happy here," said one resident, who wishes to remain anonymous. "We have no complaints."
Many claimed they were being intimidated by the unhappy group at Benevolent Park, who were calling on them to join the protest outside the grounds.
In March 2024, Mossel Bay Municipality decided to deregister Benevolent Park as a non-profit organisation and establish a non-profit company in its place. This decision was reportedly prompted by the financial challenges facing the seniors' complex.
The decision was significantly opposed by both residents and the broader community, say the seven facing possible eviction.
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