In early March OFM News reported that the province had not yet budgeted for operational expenses of the institution resulting in delays to the hospital opening its doors albeit structurally complete. It is however, alleged these operational issues are now a thing of the past, with an unknown number of clinical and support staff as well as 70 permanent security personnel appointed permanently for the mental health hospital. The provincial health department has also transferred patients from the psychiatric wing of the West End Hospital in Kimberley to the new facility. It is reported the hospital will cater to 180 patients, increasing to the maximum number of 287 beds in the next few years. 

While the provincial government celebrates this feat, the national probe into the alleged mismanagement of funds relating to the construction of the hospital is reportedly being finalised. Forensic auditors have submitted a report to the public prosecutor to ascertain whether individuals can be held liable for the misappropriation of funds. Construction to the 287 bed medical facility began in 2006 and was roughly completed in 2018. The delays in construction received country wide attention and garnered great criticism from opposition parties and members of the public.

There were media reports that alleged the aging Free State Psychiatric Complex in Bloemfontein, would be decommissioned once the Northern Cape Mental Health is opened. Free State Health MEC, Montsheng Tsiu refuted those reports telling OFM News, the ailing Bloemfontein based hospital located less than 170km outside Kimberley would be “going nowhere”.  

OFM News