JOHANNESBURG - The Public Protector’s report into delays at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital is an act of administrative justice, according to Progressive Health Forum’s Dr Aslam Rasool.
The report sheds light on the reasons for the prolonged repairs at the hospital, which was damaged by a fire in 2021.
Public Protector Adv. Kholeka Gcaleka on Friday released findings detailing delays by the Gauteng Departments of Infrastructure Development and Health in addressing the structural damage.
According to the report, the root causes are systemic and administrative.
These include disputes over custodianship of the hospital, failure to adhere to project plans, poor project management, and a lack of coordination between the two departments.
READ: Charlotte Maxeke staff feel vindicated after PP report exposes maladministration
Tensions between the departments escalated to the point that former Premier David Makhura intervened.
In 2022, he transferred custodianship of the hospital from the Department of Infrastructure Development back to the Health Department.
The fire repair project will now be referred to the Auditor-General’s office for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the Ministers of Health and Finance are expected to visit the hospital to assess progress on repairs.
Concerns remain over a more than R1.7-billion funding shortfall required to complete the project over five years.
The Public Protector also found that only half of the allocated R666-million for repairs was spent.