Parliamentarians are “shocked and seething” that despite the millions spent to “renovate” 1 Military Hospital over the past two decades, the institution is still in ruins, reports Beeld.
Not only has it been “stripped for renovations” that never happened, it turns out that the department paid out R60m just for the “planning, design and procurement documents” to begin the renovations. Worse still, the design was done by a “laboratory assistant” and an “architect technologist”: major design flaws include that a corridor at the theatres is too narrow for hospital beds, and doors that are too small through which to wheel equipment.
The damning report, submitted to the parliamentary joint standing committee on defence, has left MPs shocked and seething, said co-chairperson Cyril Xaba said after the tabling of the report by forensic investigators Abacus Financial Crime Advisory. He said that the 500-bed hospital was “once the crown jewel of the Department of Defence” and supposed to be fit to treat the president and international dignitaries.
“Today, the first floor is in ruins. It is the floor housing the 12 theatres, ICU, emergency unit, laboratory, pharmacy, radiology unit and other medical services. It has literally become a white elephant. I cannot believe we spent some R1bn and have nothing to show for it,” Xaba said.
Defence secretary Sonto Kudjoe said: “We lost more than just R1bn,” adding that the responsible parties would be held accountable.
Beeld article – LP’s geskok oor verslag oor verval van 1 Militêre Hospitaal (Restricted access)
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1 Military Hospital: Top officials liable for R156m in irregular expenditure
1 Military Hospital loses UN and AU accreditation
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