Gauteng Health Under Fire for Spending Nearly R20 Million on Boitumelo Clinic Wall While Old Facility Crumbles
By Loxion News Staff Writer
The Gauteng Department of Health is facing intense criticism after revelations that nearly R20 million was spent on constructing a perimeter wall for the new Boitumelo Clinic in Sebokeng – while the existing clinic continues to deteriorate and endanger both patients and staff.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has condemned the expenditure as an example of reckless financial mismanagement and a blatant waste of public funds. DA Emfuleni North Constituency Head, Kingsol Chabalala, is calling for an independent audit into the Boitumelo Clinic project to assess how the money was spent and what value, if any, was delivered.
A 15-Year Project Still Stuck at the Starting Line
According to Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, the Boitumelo Clinic project began 15 years ago, yet remains in its infancy planning stage due to ongoing budget constraints and repeated contractor failures.
To date, the project has had three contractors and multiple missed completion deadlines, with the most recent target-March 8, 2021-long passed without progress.
In her official response to a DA question in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), Nkomo-Ralehoko confirmed that despite years of planning, only a wall has been erected on-site.
DA Oversight Confirms Shocking Lack of Progress
Following the MEC’s disclosure, the DA conducted an oversight inspection at the site. Their findings were damning – no clinic infrastructure exists beyond the wall, and the project has not been budgeted for in the 2024/2025 financial year.
Chabalala described the scene as “a clear sign of gross negligence and possible corruption,” questioning where the funds went and who benefited from the project.
Health Department’s Accountability in Question
This revelation adds to a growing list of concerns about the Gauteng Department of Health’s financial management. Despite ongoing challenges in hospitals and clinics across the province, resources appear to be misdirected to incomplete or non-existent infrastructure projects.
“The construction of a wall costing millions, while communities suffer without adequate healthcare facilities, shows a complete disregard for service delivery,” said Chabalala. “Premier Panyaza Lesufi must urgently act to hold the department and its MEC accountable.”
DA Calls for Urgent Action
The DA is demanding a full investigation into how nearly R20 million was spent with no tangible results. The party also plans to petition the Department of Health to fast-track the completion of the Boitumelo Clinic.
Chabalala added that under a DA-led Gauteng government, the project would have been completed on time, within budget, and fully operational, providing much-needed healthcare relief to Sebokeng residents.
Conclusion
The Boitumelo Clinic controversy has once again exposed the Gauteng Health Department’s chronic mismanagement and lack of accountability. As the old clinic crumbles and residents continue to suffer, the call for transparency and justice grows louder – with taxpayers demanding to know how a wall became a R20 million monument to failure.
