R124m clinic still not open as it has no electricity

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) has attacked the Tshwane metro for not yet opening a new R124-million clinic to local Hammanskraal residents, because it still has no electricity or running water.

This while residents must stand in long queues to be helped at temporary tents outside the yet-to-be-opened Mandisa Shiceka Clinic.

“After the long lines, you go into the tent; in winter, the tents are cold and [residents said] it is painful when one goes with a child to stand in the tent,” said (ACDP) leader Rev Kenneth Meshoe during his visit to the clinic on Thursday.

Meshoe said his visit was in response to issues raised by both residents and nurses.

In March Gauteng premier David Makhura visited the clinic to inspect the progress since his last visit in August.

At the time, Makhura said the clinic could not be opened to the public because the metro has failed to install electricity and water supply to the facility.

Residents say they have been let down by the government regarding the opening of the clinic, said Meshoe.

Meshoe said that “at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic”, temporary tents and containers were erected to function as waiting areas.

“Now even mothers and children are being attended to in these poor conditions.”

Meshoe said that residents told him that even when they are sick, they are forced to stand in the long lines.

He said the new hospital “looks very nice” but it’s been three to four years without operating.

He added that the facility allegedly has no electricity and running water which raises major health concerns.

“People thought it was being built to help them, but there’s no progress. We think that they will open it during the next elections and show the residents their achievements. This means they don’t care for the people, they just want to be elected.”

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Meshoe said he would write a letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa about the situation at the clinic.

“Nurses have also lodged complaints due to the lack of resources and limited equipment, which puts the lives of civilians in danger. It is evident that there has not been any developments in service delivery and the public is struggling with basic health care needs.”

Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashego said the clinic was built by the Gauteng provincial government.

“There are building control and city planning issues that the province must address to get the necessary approvals to enable the connection of services. We are working with the province to address these issues.”

Gauteng Department of Infrastructure and Property Management spokesperson Bongiwe Gambu said the dissolving of the Tshwane council has brought a halt to providing much-needed services at the clinic.

“We are ready. The only thing that is holding us up is the council and the approval way leave. Once they approve, we can move with the services under the way leave application.

“We may build within six months, but if approval from the municipality is not as quick, then it does not matter how quickly we build. There are certain rules and regulations we need to adhere to as well as approval we need from the municipality,” Gambu concluded.