Maladministration at Boipatong Old Age Home project leads ActionSA to act

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ActionSA has formally submitted a complaint to what it termed maladministration and abuse of public resources to the Public Protector regarding the Boipatong Old Age Home project.

This follows their formal criminal complaint against the Emfuleni local municipality, the Gauteng department of infrastructure development, and the department of social development.

In a statement issued, the party Gauteng provincial legislature caucus leader, Funzi Ngobeni, revealed that the project, initiated in 2015, was intended to deliver a fully equipped residential facility for elderly residents in Boipatong.

Adding that this includes 44 en-suite rooms, a dining hall, sick bay, and other communal infrastructure.

“Despite a total budget of R44.3 million and over R28 million having been spent, the facility remains incomplete, vandalised and without any services delivered to date.

“Only 52% of the work was completed. R25 million was paid to the main contractors – JM Mcwango Trading and Makgotamishe Building Construction – and over R3 million was paid to professional service providers.

“To date, no recovery efforts or consequence management actions have been undertaken by the responsible departments,” he expressed.

Plea to investigate maladministration

Outlining what they called on the public protector to investigate, Ngobeni said whether the procurement, management, and oversight of the project were conducted in accordance with legal and ethical standards.

Among others includes, why no disciplinary or legal action has been taken against the officials or contractors involved; whether the departments of social development and infrastructure development acted in breach of their public service obligations.

Furthermore, what remedies may be proposed to ensure accountability and completion of the project.

Ngobeni maintained this situation reflects a gross failure to use the public purse responsibly.

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He added; “It raises serious concerns of maladministration, fruitless and wasteful expenditure, and the potential violation of the constitutional rights of vulnerable elderly citizens.

“ActionSA stands firm in our mission to uphold clean governance and protect public resources. Residents of Gauteng deserve justice, accountability and service delivery.”