A Cape pensioner at the centre of an investigation over allegations that she was being kept against her will has died.
|||Cape Town - A pensioner at the centre of a Western Cape provincial government investigation over allegations that she was being kept against her will and that her pension was being taken has died.
Maureen Johnson, 66, of Parkwood, died on Saturday.
In February, the Cape Argus published a story in which Johnson’s neighbours alleged that she was being kept in her council flat under inhumane conditions and against her will by an alleged local gangster and his partner.
The couple were also said to be illegally receiving Johnson’s pension.
These allegations were later found to be false by Social Development MEC Albert Fritz.
Community activist Colin Arendse has called for a official commission of inquiry into the DA.
Johnson suffered a stroke two months ago and died on Saturday morning in her sleep at a Lotus River retirement home.
Fritz confirmed that Johnson was sent to the home three months ago after becoming frail.
He said if a commission of inquiry did go ahead, his department had all the information.
“We had the press with us when we went to visit her and Arendse said it was a press exercise… She was moved three months ago and it was in the best interest for her.”
Fritz said that they had done everything the law allowed to help Johnson.
“He (Arendse) talks on hearsay and that’s why we took people on our visit, to see that the situation was not that bad.”
Arendse said there should be an official inquiry because the DA was “incompetent” in dealing with the matter.
“There should be an official commission of inquiry into the incompetence of the DA for continually failing the people of the Cape Flats.”
He added that the couple living in the flat had held a party on Saturday and it seemed as if they were celebrating.
“A neighbour called me and held the phone outside her window and I could hear how they were partying,” said Arendse. “The couple has no right to be there, they are not even related to Miss Johnson.”
Johnson’s niece Sandra Phillips said Johnson did not have much family in the area. Her son, who is in jail, had not yet been notified of his mother’s death.
“I won’t like for them to stay there anymore, I would rather have family stay there or just close the doors and leave it empty,” said Phillips.
She said Johnson’s son had wanted his mother sent to a home a long time ago and to leave the house empty.
“I will have to phone my cousin now and tell him what has happened and we will see what to do from here.”
yolisa.tswanya@inl.co.za
Cape Argus