ActionSA reports Mpumalanga Health Dept R1.4 billion unfinished Middelburg Hospital to Public Protector

8 November 2023

ActionSA has lodged a complaint against Mpumalanga Department of Health with the Public Protector for the unfinished R1.4 billion Middelburg Hospital. Construction started in 2017 and to date it is still incomplete.

The Mpumalanga Health MEC, Sasekani Manzini, must submit all relevant information related to the delays in completing this hospital to the Public Protector. In doing so, she must account to the people of Mpumalanga as to why they do not have access to the healthcare they so desperately need.

The Mpumalanga Provincial Government commissioned the building of this hospital in 2017 to replace Middelburg Provincial Hospital which could no longer meet the demands of the residents in the community.

The hospital, which was set to be completed in early 2020, is, to date, only 58% complete with the continuously shifting goalposts at the expense of the taxpayer

South Africa’s public infrastructure agenda has been captured at almost all levels and this cannot be acceptable. Policies have been corrupted, contracts have been given to unqualified politically connected “BEE” contractors and incompetent cadres have been appointed to manage critical assets.

We therefore requested the Public Protector to investigate without fear or favour about the shenanigans happening at the hospital.

ActionSA’s policy will be to establish societal norms that drive a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption, including through education and awareness, addressing the socio-economic drivers of corruption and establishing a culture of transparency and ethical behaviour ActionSA.

Issued by Thoko Mashiane, ActionSA Mpumalanga Provicial Chairperson, 8 November 2023