Vulnerable elderly residents in dire need of a safe place to stay have been left out in the cold by the Gauteng Department of Social Development as Mohlakeng Old Home stands empty. The facility with 75 beds remains unoccupied, while R12 083 740 has been spent on maintaining this empty facility from the 2018/19 to 2024/25 financial years.
This is despite the department spending money on two opening ceremonies for the Mohlakeng Old Age Home in Randfontein. The initial cost of construction was R43 523 018.26. The money spent on maintenance is R12 083 740, which means the costs of this facility have ballooned to R55 606 758.26, while it remains a white elephant with no benefit to the community.
The Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Faith Mazibuko, states that ongoing maintenance of this facility is necessary to ensure the building is compliant with Occupational Health and Safety Standards (OHS). This is a waste of taxpayers’ money because this facility is not functional. Furthermore, money has been spent, yet the facility still does not meet the OHS requirements, the DA demands accountability.
MEC Mazibuko was responding to the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL). She stated that this facility requires routine maintenance on the structures as some structural components become dilapidated and damaged. We question the damage when the building is not utilised.
Furthermore, the MEC indicated that structures that must be built, such as carports, and the building should be accessible to people with disabilities. This could have been built a long time ago, and some of the things can be done while it is occupied.
See the full reply here.
This facility must be opened to the public. The longer this facility remains unoccupied, the cost of maintenance will continue to increase.
A DA Gauteng-led provincial government would ensure that completed infrastructure projects are not abandoned but utilised to benefit communities. Based on previous experience, the failure to occupy completed projects makes the facility vulnerable to theft, vandalism, and illegal occupation.
To join the DA’s fight to open the Mohlakeng Old Age Home, please sign the petition here.