The Merewent Cheshire Home for mentally and physically disabled people in Durban needs donations to keep its water running and electricity on, while it also needs to repair or replace its only bus, which was broken last year.
Image: Independent Media archives
For residents living with severe physical and mental disabilities, access to basic services such as water and electricity is not a convenience—it is a lifeline. Without it, daily routines like bathing, eating, receiving medical care and even breathing assistance become near impossible.
This is the stark reality facing a Durban care facility now under threat.
A home for vulnerable people living with disabilities in Durban is facing the possibility of having its electricity and water services terminated due to non-payment of municipal bills.
The 33-year-old Merewent Cheshire Home, which was opened on June 1, 1994, houses 35 residents in the south of Durban. The facility provides care for people who are mentally and physically disabled, as well as orphans, ranging in age from 18 to 60.
Facility manager Winnie Mkhize said the institution currently owes the municipality approximately R400,000 in water and electricity bills.
“Even yesterday (Monday) they came to terminate electricity supply, but I stopped them by telling them they cannot do that as we are providing essential services as a non-profit organisation,” said Mkhize.
She warned that the consequences of a disconnection would be devastating.
“Without these services, we cannot cook meals for our residents, they cannot take a bath, and some are at risk of not being able to receive oxygen.
“Without electricity, we cannot operate our office as we need to send emails, and we also need lights at night to bathe the people and care for them,” she said.
The municipality’s marketing and communications director, Mandla Nsele, said the city does not discuss customer account details with third parties.
“Customers who require further clarity regarding their municipal bills are encouraged to visit the City’s Revenue Services Directorate or their nearest Sizakala Centre.
“Furthermore, customers are advised to bring any relevant supporting documents to assist in resolving their queries,” said Nsele.
Mkhize added that the home is also struggling with transport challenges, as its 24-year-old bus, used to take residents to medical facilities, has been out of service for the past eight months.
“We have been raising funds for a bus for the disabled through a telethon since the one we have is now 24 years old, but it broke down eight months ago, and we need funds to repair it.
“We are still calling out for help because the telethon only raised R300,000 while we need more than R500,000 to repair it,” she said.
The plight of the home recently gained attention after the DA’s eThekwini mayoral candidate, Haniff Hoosen, shared it on his TikTok page as part of his campaign ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
Hoosen said the post prompted donations from members of the public, although the funds raised remain insufficient.
“When I put up the video, there were several ordinary people in Durban who said ‘we want to contribute’.
“Yes, there was some contribution,” he said.
He also acknowledged that the municipality had provided some relief.
“I must not be unfair to the municipality because it did give them a short-term solution,” Hoosen said.
DAILY NEWS