Response to the article dated 7/9/2018 (mother and son living in car).
In response to the above-mentioned article, the board of Have a Heart Care Centre for the Elderly wishes to point out that Mrs Val McDaniels and her son James were living in their car long before they moved in at the Centre.
James’ ex-wife phoned Estelle and pleaded for accommodation for both of them as she still felt sorry for them. The board accepted her plea and decided to help them. However, they did not arrive till Marius got a further phone call from a man also pleading to please help them with accommodation. Marius felt sorry for them and agreed as the man said that he would give them the money to pay pro rata for their accommodation and food. At the time of their arrival, they said they didn’t have any money, but they had money to buy big packets of potato chips and sweets on a daily basis.
Upon their arrival they stank terribly, and had to be helped to wash. Mrs McDaniels, who is in an oversized wheelchair due to her weight and size, couldn’t fit into the shower. After their ablutions, they were provided with a plate of food.
Regarding the allegations that the Centre only gets cleaned every now and then – this is a blatant lie. The Centre gets cleaned on a daily basis with an antiseptic gel. The food is not 5-star but taking into account what the residents pay, it is not bad at all.
The Centre is not a charity organisation and doesn’t receive any support from government or the Lotto. Residents pay R1 200 per month for their accommodation and food and are very thankful for a Centre of this nature.
