Kempton Park’s ‘ghost hospital’ remains in limbo as costs mount
It was revealed that refurbishing the hospital would cost approximately R1.76b while demolishing and rebuilding would cost around R3.6b.
Nearly three decades after its sudden closure, the Kempton Park Hospital has become a crumbling monument to government inaction.
Once a bustling 300-bed facility serving thousands, it now stands stripped, vandalised and is deemed a dangerous site. It is a “ghost hospital” haunting the Van Riebeeck Park community.
Members of the DA and the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, led by MPL Mike Waters, conducted an oversight visit to the site on June 18. Built in 1978 and abruptly closed in 1996, the hospital has remained abandoned for 29 years.
What was once a vital healthcare hub has decayed into what locals now refer to as the “ghost hospital”.
Also read: Kempton Park Hospital included on list of six new hospitals
Today, it is more than just an eyesore. The derelict structure has become a hotspot for criminal activity, drug use, illegal teenage parties and social media stunts. It poses a growing risk to the surrounding community.
During the oversight visit, the DA called on the Gauteng Department of Health to make a final decision on the hospital’s future.
@kemptonexpress Kempton Park Hospital – July 3, 2025 Nearly three decades after its sudden closure, the Kempton Park Hospital has become a crumbling monument to government inaction. Once a bustling 300-bed facility serving thousands, it now stands stripped, vandalised and is deemed a dangerous site. It is a “ghost hospital” haunting the Van Riebeeck Park community. Members of the DA and the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, led by MPL Mike Waters, conducted an oversight visit to the site on June 18. Built in 1978 and abruptly closed in 1996, the hospital has remained abandoned for 29 years. What was once a vital healthcare hub has decayed into what locals now refer to as the “ghost hospital”. Today, it is more than just an eyesore. The derelict structure has become a hotspot for criminal activity, drug use, illegal teenage parties and social media stunts. It poses a growing risk to the surrounding community. During the oversight visit, the DA called on the Gauteng Department of Health to make a final decision on the hospital’s future. According to answers provided by Gauteng MEC for Health, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, in response to questions tabled by Waters in the provincial legislature, refurbishing the hospital would cost an estimated R1.76b. Demolishing and rebuilding it would cost around R3.6b. In the meantime, R5.3m is spent annually on security, amounting to about R500 000 per month. A further R5.8m is spent on maintenance, with no return on investment. The MEC indicated that a Public Private Partnership (PPP) is being considered. Waters explained that the Gauteng Department of Health, with assistance from the Gauteng Infrastructure Financing Agency, has advertised an Expression of Interest (EOI) to test market appetite for the hospital’s redevelopment. Options under consideration include refurbishing the existing building or demolishing and rebuilding it, possibly in partnership with the private sector or through alternative funding models. For the 2024/25 financial year, the department has budgeted R5 306 400 for security. Maintenance costs since May 1 amount to R5 788 800 under a month-to-month arrangement. Meanwhile, surrounding hospitals continue to bear the load. Tembisa Hospital is operating with 840 approved beds and 1 115 usable beds, while Edenvale Hospital has a capacity of 230 approved beds. Waters said a final decision will be made in due course. However, councillor Amanda Davison highlighted a third option proposed by the community. On December 5, 2023, residents submitted a petition to the provincial government, calling on Premier Panyaza Lesufi to cancel any demolition plans and appoint an independent panel to assess the building’s structural integrity and explore its potential reuse. The proposal suggests repurposing the hospital as a day hospital, clinic, training centre or mixed-use health facility. These options could help relieve pressure on nearby hospitals while restoring essential services to the local community. To date, neither the premier’s office nor the Department of Health has responded to the petition. “How much longer must Van Riebeeck Park residents endure the danger and decay of this neglected building?” Davison asked. “How much longer must the greater Kempton Park community go without a functioning local hospital that could reduce pressure on nearby health facilities and provide desperately needed services?” “This is no longer just a case of poor planning or budget mismanagement. It is a gross failure of political will and basic governance,” she said. The community, Davison added, deserves answers and urgent action. Kempton Express sent an inquiry to the Department of Health on June 26, requesting comment by June 30. At the time of going to print, no response had been received. #kemptonpark #kempton #localnews #kemptonexpress #TiktokNews #kemptonparkhospital #departmentofhealth #HauntedHospital ♬ original sound – KemptonExpress
According to answers provided by Gauteng MEC for Health, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, in response to questions tabled by Waters in the provincial legislature, refurbishing the hospital would cost an estimated R1.76b.
Also read: R12.8-m investigation shows Kempton Park Hospital is structurally sound
Demolishing and rebuilding it would cost around R3.6b.
In the meantime, R5.3m is spent annually on security, amounting to about R500 000 per month. A further R5.8m is spent on maintenance, with no return on investment.
The MEC indicated that a Public Private Partnership (PPP) is being considered. Waters explained that the Gauteng Department of Health, with assistance from the Gauteng Infrastructure Financing Agency, has advertised an Expression of Interest (EOI) to test market appetite for the hospital’s redevelopment.
Also read: Concerned residents to meet about future of Kempton Park Hospital
Options under consideration include refurbishing the existing building or demolishing and rebuilding it, possibly in partnership with the private sector or through alternative funding models.
For the 2024/25 financial year, the department has budgeted R5 306 400 for security. Maintenance costs since May 1 amount to R5 788 800 under a month-to-month arrangement.
Meanwhile, surrounding hospitals continue to bear the load. Tembisa Hospital is operating with 840 approved beds and 1 115 usable beds, while Edenvale Hospital has a capacity of 230 approved beds.
Also read: R127-million allocated to demolish Kempton Park Hospital
Waters said a final decision will be made in due course. However, councillor Amanda Davison highlighted a third option proposed by the community.
On December 5, 2023, residents submitted a petition to the provincial government, calling on Premier Panyaza Lesufi to cancel any demolition plans and appoint an independent panel to assess the building’s structural integrity and explore its potential reuse.
Also read: Gauteng budget: No plan for Kempton Park Hospital
The proposal suggests repurposing the hospital as a day hospital, clinic, training centre or mixed-use health facility.
These options could help relieve pressure on nearby hospitals while restoring essential services to the local community.
To date, neither the premier’s office nor the Department of Health has responded to the petition.
“How much longer must Van Riebeeck Park residents endure the danger and decay of this neglected building?” Davison asked.
Also read: MEC gives new hope for Kempton Park Hospital
“How much longer must the greater Kempton Park community go without a functioning local hospital that could reduce pressure on nearby health facilities and provide desperately needed services?”
“This is no longer just a case of poor planning or budget mismanagement. It is a gross failure of political will and basic governance,” she said.
The community, Davison added, deserves answers and urgent action.
Kempton Express sent an inquiry to the Department of Health on June 26, requesting comment by June 30. At the time of going to print, no response had been received.
