Elderly pensioner dies amid housing crisis in Hanover Park

A 75-year-old pensioner, June Philander, has died at Heideveld Day Hospital following weeks of stress and uncertainty over her housing situation.

Tensions in Hanover Park escalated last month when residents protested outside the municipal rent offices. The protests, led by SANCO, sought to halt evictions of vulnerable individuals such as Philander.

Philander never returned home after a recent hospitalisation. Her family had taken her in temporarily after concerns arose about her ability to care for herself. City officials maintained she was not evicted and that her unit had not been allocated to anyone else.

The Hanover Park Civic Organisation confirmed her passing on Friday morning. “It is with sadness that we…inform everyone that due to the trauma of facing an unlawful eviction from Ryberg Terrace Old Age Home. Aunty June Philander has passed away this morning,” said housing coordinator Gary Hartzenberg.

In a response to Philander's passing, the City confirmed that she had not been evicted: "The City sends its condolences. The resident in question lived in one of the City's senior citizen complexes. She was recently hospitalised and was no longer able to care for herself. The family was thus responsible for her care as the City couldn't provide the type of support needed. Her family took her in. The resident was not evicted. The unit was not allocated to anyone else."

The situation drew the attention of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). Tammy Carter of the SAHRC Western Cape Provincial Office said an inspection was conducted to clarify conflicting reports about Philander’s housing status.

“The Commission can only take up matters which it either becomes aware of or is made aware of through complaints or the media,” she said. 

Local civic leaders described the ordeal as emblematic of broader challenges for elderly residents. Denver Andrews of the South African National Civics Organisation (SANCO) said: “We’re ok with the resolution but feel disappointed with the way the city handled the whole thing…They have said that when she is discharged from hospital, she will be able to stay where she used to while they will help to find alternate accommodation.”

Ashraf Gamildien, assistant chair of SANCO Hanover Park, highlighted similar incidents. “Another family from the area was evicted after their house burned. While she was away, council refurbished and repaired everything inside and decided to put other people in the house.”

Dawn Groepes of Sector for Seniors said: “The way the city has treated June is just inhumane". 

Philander’s daughter, Nawaal Benjamini, said: “City officials told us they were coming to repair the house, but instead, we found ourselves evicted.”

Councillor Carl Pophaim, Mayco Member for Human Settlements, stressed that Senior complex tenants must be able-bodied and not in need of frail care.

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