The DA has strongly criticised the Gauteng Department of Social Development (DSD) regarding the situation at the Mohlakeng Old Age Home.

In a statement Bronwynn Engelbrecht, member of parliament and DA Gauteng spokesperson for Social Development, says the R43,5 million Mohlakeng Old Age Home in Rand West City, has been standing empty and gathering dust for almost six years with no beneficiaries, while staff salaries are still being paid.

She says there is a desperate need for adequate facilities with elderly people in Rand West suffering under socioeconomic problems, a lack of housing and poor support systems.

“To make matters worse, the DSD has spent R43 523 018,26 to build Mohlakeng Old Age Home, and it has yet to be issued with an occupancy certificate as the building does not comply with the Occupational Health and Safety regulations,” Engelbrecht says.

Engelbrecht continues on to say that the information was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Morakane Mosupyoe, in a written response to questions tabled at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.

“According to Mosupyoe, the construction of this facility started in 2010. The initial cost was R39 440 232 which was adjusted to R43 523 01,26.

“The annual cost of the furniture was R2 979 512 for the 2012/ 2013 financial year. The facility is designed to accommodate up to 56 elderly people.

She says that Mosupyoe wrote that the facility was never opened or utilised due to the unavailability of an occupancy certificate.

She says in November 2020, the DA tabled written questions to the former MEC for Social Development, Nomathemba Mokgethi, with regards to the Mohlakeng Old Age Home.

“According to Mokgethi, the construction of this facility was completed on July 31, 2016. It was launched on April 26, 2019 and the employees started working on August 1, 2019.

“Initially, they employed 24 staff members, of which 14 staff members left the facility for new opportunities. The cost of the salary bill for the staff since the opening is R1 051 759 98; in addition, the facility received R1 333 425 from the department for nine months,” she says.

Engelbrecht condemns the situation and says it is yet another example of the vast waste of money by the department.

”The DA will be tabling follow-up questions to ascertain how many employees are still employed at this facility, how much has been spent on their wage bill and what the scope of their work is.

She says the DA will be keeping an eye on the progress of fixing infrastructure glitches and obtaining an occupancy certificate for the home.

She adds that the DA will continue to push for accountability.

“The department must be held accountable for wasting taxpayers’ money by employing staff members while there are no beneficiaries and no work to be done. It must also account for its failure to comply with the occupational health and safety standards when constructing this facility.

“We will also fight to stop the abuse of taxpayers’ money and ensure that the vulnerable elderly people in Rand West are accommodated at this facility as they continue to suffer due to the shortage of elderly facilities in the area,” Engelbrecht concludes.