TARA MENTAL HOSPITAL 2.5BILLION SECURITY COST @KASIBC_NEWS

TARA MENTAL HOSPITAL 2.5BILLION SECURITY COST @KASIBC_NEWS

Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has ordered a review of excessive hospital security following the DA exposure of ballooning costs.

She said this at a meeting last week of the Gauteng Legislature’s Health Committee with the management of Tara Mental Hospital, where it was revealed that their new security contract includes 46 guards - far exceeding their assessed need for only 26 guards.

The MEC admitted the security review was triggered by my question in the Gauteng Legislature which revealed that total security costs had soared from R655 Million in 2022 to an astounding R2.54 Billion this year.

Tara Hospital now pays R14 Million a year for the new security contract, compared to R4.2 Million previously with 21 guards. Despite their internal assessment recommending 26 guards, they are forced to pay for 46 guards as determined by the Gauteng Health Department.

This means they are paying about R5 Million a year for 20 guards they do not need. They could better use this money to fill the vacancies for 13 professional nurses as the hospital cannot use 50 of its 137 beds because of staff shortages.

These unused beds are needed urgently as there is a long list of mental patients who desperately need to be admitted.

It is a clear example of excessive security costs squeezing out service delivery.

The DA in Gauteng will continue to hold the Health MEC accountable and will push for an end to rip-off security contracts so the budget goes to where it is most needed.

NGWATHE 12MILLION BRIDGE @KASIBC_NEWS

NGWATHE 12MILLION BRIDGE @KASIBC_NEWS

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ngwathe will report the low-level bridge, describing it as another multimillion-rand failed project where lives have been lost to the HAWKS for further investigation.

The low-level bridge project commenced in 2021 and is still ongoing. Despite numerous complaints and fatal accidents, the municipality has not issued a single response. Some people have also lost their lives when this bridge was supposed to be built as a mainstream flow through this area.

Over the years, some people were swept away by the stream as they tried to cross over to Sandersville or town.

The project has incurred R11,946,918.01 thus far. 

This was learnt at last week’s council sitting when various reports on current projects in the municipality were made available.

I raised the question of why the contractor was paid, as basically, no work was being done on this project. 

The Executive Mayor indicated, “There is currently an investigation regarding this project.”

We are not happy at all, as various letters were sent to the municipality, questioning the slow progress of this project.

This cannot be. So much money is spent for nothing. This low-level bridge is needed in the community, as residents can’t move from one area to the other during rainy seasons.

The project has now been extended to be completed in 2027. This is a significant concern, as only R4,533,837.38 remains of the initial R16,480,754.39 budgeted for this project. Where will the money come from? This sounds unrealistic.

This is unacceptable and cannot be left as it is.

Someone needs to account for why the contractor was paid when no work was done.

BHAMBANANA ABATTOIR ADA CASH INJECTION @KASIBC_NEWS

BHAMBANANA ABATTOIR ADA CASH INJECTION @KASIBC_NEWS 

The Bhambanana Abattoir project - a facility meant to uplift livestock farmers within uMkhanyakude District – may yet become a beacon of hope after years of failure following a recent cash injection of R6.1million by the Agribusiness Development Agency (ADA).

Further steps in the right direction include the involvement of the National Agricultural Marketing Council and the Red Meat Abattoir Association in developing a business plan and infrastructure assessment.

Bhambanana Abbatoir has, for many years, been a major concern for the DA. A facility that was meant to provide support instead became a symbol of government inefficiency and poor planning. 

Initiated in 2012 and constructed at a cost of R82.9million, the abattoir was envisioned as a solution to the economic devastation caused by the 2011 Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak.

The facility was meant to provide a safe, regulated space for livestock slaughter, enabling trade in meat rather than live animals. However, due to glaring structural defects and non-compliance with national meat safety regulations, the facility has remained non-operational for nearly a decade.

The DA has consistently called for accountability in infrastructure spending and the Bhambanana Abattoir is a textbook case of how poor oversight and lack of technical due diligence can derail a well-intentioned project. The absence of basic operational features, including proper slaughter line height, sterilization points and adequate washing facilities, has rendered the facility unusable until now.

The DA strongly supports the proposal for a public-private partnership (PPP) model to operationalise the facility. By involving local livestock associations, traditional authorities and private sector operators, we can ensure that the abattoir becomes a sustainable economic hub. This model will not only create jobs but also empower local farmers, improve food safety, and stimulate the rural economy of Northern KwaZulu-Natal 

The DA urges KZN’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) to fast-track the handover processes, resolve outstanding utility and land issues and ensure full transparency in the appointment of operational partners.

The people of uMkhanyakude deserve better. As part of KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), the DA will continue to monitor this project closely to ensure that public funds are used effectively and that the Bhambanana Abattoir finally delivers on its promise.

DIHLABENG INFRASTRUCTURE DEPARTMENT 54% VACANCY RATE @KASIBC_NEWS

DIHLABENG INFRASTRUCTURE DEPARTMENT 54% VACANCY RATE @KASIBC_NEWS 

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Dihlabeng has requested an urgent performance audit of the Infrastructure Department to identify internal bottlenecks and hold senior officials accountable for the inaction regarding the deteriorating state of service delivery.

This is a direct result of the Infrastructure and Public Works Department operating at a staggering 54% staff vacancy rate.

This failure to fill critical positions is not just an administrative issue but a direct assault on the constitutional right of residents to basic services.

Infrastructure is the backbone of any municipality. Without the necessary personnel, Dihlabeng’s ability to maintain roads, respond to water leaks, manage sewerage systems, and uphold public safety infrastructure is collapsing before our eyes.

Communities are suffering, and the ANC-led administration has no plan to arrest this decline.

The DA continues to receive daily complaints from residents across the entire Dihlabeng Municipality.

This collapse in service delivery is due to a failure of governance, planning, and political will.

The remaining employees in the Infrastructure Department are overburdened and under-supported. Staff are working excessive overtime to compensate for the shortfall, leading to exhaustion, low morale, and mistakes that further delay service delivery. This is unsustainable and dangerous.

The DA in Dihlabeng is proposing the following immediate and long-term interventions to stabilise the department and restore service delivery:

Declaration of a Local Infrastructure Emergency

The municipality must formally declare an Infrastructure Emergency to unlock special funding and support from the Free State Provincial Government.

Urgent filling of critical posts

We are demanding that all funded and vacant technical posts be advertised and filled within 60 days. We will table a motion in Council for quarterly reporting on progress.

Deploy retired Engineers and artisans

Engage qualified retirees on short-term contracts to stabilise operations while permanent recruitment continues.

Accelerate learnerships and internships

Fast-track DA supported partnerships with colleges to place young artisans into municipal departments with structured mentorship.

Ward-based maintenance teams

Establish community-based maintenance teams under municipal supervision to assist with basic repairs, road patching, and cleaning while skilled staff focus on technical duties.

Transparent reporting to residents

A weekly Service Delivery Report should be published publicly to track complaints, repairs, and departmental performance. The DA will initiate this transparency through its own Ward Councillors when the administration fails to act.

The current state of Dihlabeng’s infrastructure is unacceptable. It is not only a result of capacity; it is a symptom of broken leadership. 

The DA is committed to fixing what is broken by focusing on clean governance, professional administration, and people-centred service delivery.

We will not allow the residents of Dihlabeng to be forgotten.

GAUTENG TRAFFIC WARDENS VEHICLE ACCIDENT @KASIBC_NEWS

GAUTENG TRAFFIC WARDENS VEHICLE ACCIDENT @KASIBC_NEWS

The Gauteng Provincial Government has noted media reports regarding an accident involving a traffic warden vehicle in Kagiso. 

A thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding the accident. Until this process is complete, we urge the public and media to refrain from speculation, as uninformed speculations do not serve the interests of justice or those involved. 

The Gauteng Provincial Government takes such incidents extremely seriously, and any necessary corrective measures will be implemented decisively once the facts are established. 

We remain committed to upholding the highest standards of safety and accountability in all our operations. It is important to remember that this isolated incident should not overshadow the dedication and bravery of the thousands of traffic wardens who work tirelessly, often in hazardous conditions, to ensure the safety of all residents of Gauteng. 

Their professionalism and commitment continue to play a vital role in keeping our communities safe. 

Further updates will be provided in due course as the investigation progresses.