Delays in releasing bodies from the Hillbrow mortuary have caused great distress recently, but the real scandal is why this decrepit facility is still operating when a new mortuary was supposed to have been completed four years ago.
There have been endless delays in building the new mortuary at the Helen Joseph Hospital grounds which was started in November 2016 and was supposed to be completed in November 2019.
According to a written reply to my questions last year, the new building was 71% complete and was supposed to open in January this year.
Despite a budget of R588 million, unpaid contractors were refusing to work on the building.
Delays have also been blamed on poor service by the professional team and change in designs during the construction stage, which has led to additional work and cost increases.
Meanwhile, the old Hillbrow mortuary is plagued by rats, has poor ventilation and a terrible smell as the ozone generator has not worked for eight years.
This has led to poor staff morale and distress for families who visit to see the bodies of their loved ones.
Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko needs to account for the unacceptable delay in moving to a modern expanded facility that should have been completed years ago.