While the City of Johannesburg celebrates the G20 summit as a symbol of progress and international recognition, critical public infrastructure projects in our communities remain stalled, mismanaged, and over-budget.
One stark example is the Bertram Multi-Purpose Centre, a R260 million project.
To date, R130 million has been spent, with another R130 million still owed.
The contract has been temporarily suspended, and the site is idle.
R45,000 is being wasted daily just to maintain the paused project.
A scheduled project handover for 13 November 2025 did not happen — as the site remains incomplete, overgrown, and locked up.
The Hikensile Clinic faces a similar fate, raising serious questions about accountability, project oversight, and the City’s capacity to deliver on promises.
This is not progress. It is a cosmetic display, lipstick on a pig intended to impress international audiences while communities continue to wait for essential services.
The DA calls for immediate action from the MMC for Health and Social Development, the MMC for Finance and the Executive Mayor:
- A full audit of all suspended projects in Health and Social Development.
- Transparent reporting of costs, timelines, and reasons for delays.
- A commitment to complete essential infrastructure projects before international fanfare.
Johannesburg residents deserve more than glossy PR and ribbon-cutting ceremonies — they deserve real progress, accountability, and value for money.