‘HAUNTED’ Kempton Park Hospital costs MILLIONS for security

The ‘haunted’ Kempton Park Hospital costs Gauteng residents over R6 million annually for security.

THE ‘HAUNTED’ KEMPTON PARK HOSPITAL COSTS MILLIONS ANNUALLY

This comes after the Gauteng Department of Health last year confirmed plans to build a 300-bed hospital in Kempton Park.

However, the budget and plans of the construction of the Kempton Park District Hospital have yet to be approved or finalised.

According to DA Political Head in Kempton Park and DA Ward 15 Councillor in Kempton Park Bronwynn Engelbrecht MPL and Cllr Amanda Daviso, security services for this hospital is costing a whopping s R6 694 583.64 annually.

ALSO READ: Demolition of ‘haunted’ Kempton Park Hospital a “blatant lie” – DA

THIS IS FOR SECURITY TO GUARD THE ABANDONED HOSPITAL

“This is a massive waste of resources because the hospital has not operated for over two decades.

“For several years, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has been calling for the refurbishment of this hospital to benefit Kempton Park residents and neighbouring suburbs who are currently travelling far to access health care services.”

Bronwynn Engelbrecht

This information was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure Development, Lebogang Maile, in a written reply to the DA’s questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).

THE HOSPITAL WAS CLOSED MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO

Maile said the Department of Health intends to rebuild Kempton Park Hospital on the current premises; however, the timelines have not been finalised.

“We will table follow-up questions to determine the companies contracted to safeguard the hospital and how much they have been paid to date. We also want to know why they fail to protect this facility, as some people are illegally utilising it for financial gain.”

The Kempton Park hospital was closed more than 20 years ago.

ALSO READ: Proposal to reopen Kempton Park Hospital falls on deaf ears

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH INTENDS TO REBUILD HOSPITAL BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN FINALISED

In 2018, a Business Report report said it would cost more than R127 million to demolish the hospital.

It also reported a R244m project to upgrade the hospital was left incomplete in 2015.

ALSO READ: ‘Haunted’ Kempton Park Hospital is to be demolished to build a new hospital

In 2013, the Gauteng government committed to build a new 300 bed hospital at the same site.

WILL IT EVER BE REBUILD?

Construction was supposed to take place between March 2013 and July 2014, but the project was never completed.

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