This, after their visit yesterday. The department was supposed to brief the committee on the progress and challenges faced in relation to the completion of the infamous psychiatric hospital, which has now been under construction for more than a decade.

In a statement, the committee, however, says the department failed to provide a detailed report on the challenges faced with regards to the project and how its costs have escalated to approximately R1.8 billion. Departmental spokesperson, Lebogang Majaha, could not be reached for comment despite several attempts. Meanwhile, the committee is awaiting the submission of the AG’s report on the project.

The Committee has also lambasted the provincial Department of Public Works for the incomplete hospital.

The department is expected to submit all the relevant documents to the committee within five working days.

The committee has also resolved that, as the joint task team tasked with dealing with the management of the project, the department failed to alert them of any challenges and therefore the National Department of Health needs to intervene as well as take responsibility for the delays that have taken place.

OFM News