The Gauteng Department of Infrastructure’s inability to effectively manage projects and make sound decisions is costing taxpayers millions.
The project of extending and upgrading one hospital ended before being completed, while the contract for another hospital was unlawful.
The construction project at the Kopanong Hospital in Vereeniging, which commenced in 2020 with the aim of making 300 new beds available to mainly Covid-19 patients, was not completed as the contractor abandoned work after a few months.
But R200 million was paid to the said contractor.
The FF Plus advised the Department to inform the contractors that are appointed in writing that the Department has no obligation towards subcontractors.
The subcontractors claim that they have not received their full payment.
And in the case of the Western Deep Level Hospital in Carletonville, an unlawful contract was entered into by AngloGold Ashanti and the Department to change the Hospital, which had been vacant in 2020, to a Covid-19 facility.
After a number of months, the lease contract was declared irregular and void.
The Department spent R700 million on the project to procure new beds and do upgrades.
It is a shame that lease agreements are entered into by parties that fail to verify the legality of the contract.
Taxpayers’ hard-earned money is wasted on senseless projects, while thousands of people died as a result of Covid-19.
If these projects had been managed correctly, many lives could have been saved.
