The abandoned Kempton Park Hospital costs Gauteng residents R6 694 583.64 for security services annually.
This is a massive waste of resources because the hospital has not operated for over two decades.
For several years, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has been calling for the refurbishment of this hospital to benefit Kempton Park residents and neighbouring suburbs who are currently travelling far to access health care services.
This information was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure Development, Lebogang Maile, in a written reply to the DA’s questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).
According to MEC Maile, the Department of Health intends to rebuild Kempton Park Hospital on the current premises; however, the timelines have not been finalised.
The DA reiterates its call to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and the MECs for Health and Infrastructure Development to fast-track the reopening of this hospital.
We will table follow-up questions to determine the companies contracted to safeguard the hospital and how much they have been paid to date. We also want to know why they fail to protect this facility, as some people are illegally utilising it for financial gain.