Two state-of-the-art clinics in Hammanskraal and Soshanguve are standing empty, as a tug of war ensued between the Gauteng provincial government and the Tshwane municipality over whose fault it is.

The Mandisa Shiceka clinic in Hammanskraal was upgraded in 2018 to the tune of R122-million, while the Boikhutsong clinic in Soshanguve clinic was built for R108-million.

Both are standing empty today.

Bongiwe Gambu, a spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development (DID), said the Mandisa Shiceka clinic in Hammanskraal was completed in December 2018.

However, the clinic can’t operate “because there’s additional parking required by the City of Tshwane bylaws”.

“The clinic can’t be handed over without the required additional parking for the department to obtain an occupation certificate,” said Gambu.

Gambu said the department was working on finalising a submission to the Tshwane metro so that construction can start on the additional parking.

She blamed hold-ups with the opening of the Boikhutsong clinic in Soshanguve on delays in the approval of equipment and furniture as well as contractor payments.

She said the contractor was awaiting the finalising of his scope of work.

“This will be done by a client department.

“Our department is seriously concerned about the current status. We are working around the clock to ensure that these two projects are completed by the second quarter of the new financial year.”

A meeting has been arranged between the Tshwane city manager and the DID to address issues affecting the clinics’ completion.

A spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Health said with both the clinics, the metro decided to rescind all council resolutions to donate land to the provincial government while the construction was in progress.

“Thus, the DID couldn’t submit the building plans for approval to obtain occupation certificates,” said spokesperson Kwara Kekana.

Kekana said a deed of sale has been signed, and the metro issued a power of attorney to the DID to continue with the submission of building plans and the construction of the additional parking as required by municipal bylaws for Mandisa Shiceka clinic.

A deed of sale for Boikhutsong clinic was signed by the DID and submitted to the metro on February 21.

The metro, however, denied claims that it was not cooperating with the DID in ensuring that the two clinics are opened.

“Extensive efforts have been undertaken by the City to support the provincial government in the operationalisation of the clinics,” said metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba.

“The City’s council has already approved the alienation of the two properties to the province. They have been issued the power of attorney concerning the Mandisa Shiceka Clinic in April 2022.

“Planning processes have also been started to obtain all the relevant building control approvals from the City to finalise this matter.”

Bokaba said an intergovernmental forum consisting of the province and the metro dealt with all land matters, including the two clinics.