Is this wall worth R20 million?

OUTRAGE has erupted over whether the perimeter wall, which is intended for a new Boitumelo Clinic in Vaal, was worth nearly R20 million.

- MASABATA MKWANANZI [e-mail]

OUTRAGE has erupted over whether the perimeter wall, which is intended for a new Boitumelo Clinic in Vaal, was worth nearly R20 million.

The spending on the wall that initially started 15 years ago has sparked outrage among community members, as they argued that basic infrastructure, such as functional waiting areas, consultation rooms, and sanitation facilities, should take priority over cosmetic projects.

In a written response to questions tabled by the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko revealed that the perimeter wall could not be completed due to "community disruptions" and the involvement of multiple contracts.

Nkomo-Ralehoko stated that the first contractor was awarded R3 886 307.21, the second R9 593 991.53, and the third R6 134 680.53, bringing the total spend to R19 614 979.09.

"Due to community disruptions, work was stopped on site, and the contractor did not return to the site; rather, they chose to terminate the contract by mutual agreement in April 2018 after a series of warnings from the IPM."