The Eastern Cape Department of Social Development has admitted that the Silver Crown Old Age Home in East London is operating from a building never designed for older persons. Social Development MEC Bukiwe Fanta has now confirmed that the facility’s infrastructure is not fully compliant.
Silver Crown is a state-run facility in Kugompo City (East London). There is no NPO service-level agreement in place, meaning the frail elderly residents rely entirely on the Department for proper care, safe living conditions, and decent food. However, the Department has fallen short, food complaints have persisted, and the facility’s conditions are deteriorating.
In response to a parliamentary question from the DA, MEC Fanta confirmed that concerns at Silver Crown include poor food service and cooking, deviations from the original menu, food-handling issues, and portions residents consider inadequate. The Department has already issued a breach-of-contract notice to the service provider.
MEC Fanta also admitted that Silver Crown operates from a building that was never designed for older persons, stating that there are insufficient toilets and bathrooms for residents, and that the facility has no examination room, sick bay, or waiting room. These defects were identified, but planned upgrades could not proceed because of budget constraints.
Despite this, MEC Fanta claims no management failures have been identified, no complaints have been lodged against the facility manager in the past two years, and no action has been taken on structural defects because the responsibility lies with Public Works.
Download full response here.
It is shocking that frail older persons, who have contributed a lifetime to this province, are expected to accept these conditions.
I will be writing to the chairperson of the portfolio committee on Social Development to request an immediate independent investigation into conditions at Silver Crown, including infrastructure safety, food quality, nutritional adequacy, and complaint handling. I will also ask that a professional nutritional assessment be completed within 14 days and that the Department be called before the committee to provide a clear, costed plan with timelines to bring the facility into compliance.
The DA will continue to pursue this matter until there is accountability and corrective action for the residents of Silver Crown. Our elderly residents deserve dignity, safety, and proper care, and the people of the Eastern Cape deserve leadership that delivers accountability, compassion, and honest government.