Construction of Burgersfort Private Hospital halted

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30-06-2023
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Speaking to the families at the site, they indicated that they were surprised when a sod-turning ceremony was conducted in February.

The construction of Burgersfort  Private Hospital has been halted for more than a week.  Angry families from Mnisi, Phetla, Mzimba, Motene, Mkhondo and Matladi have stopped the construction of the project, insisting the development is being constructed on their land without their approval.

RH Burgersfort Private Hospital is being developed through the partnership between Riobex Pty Ltd, local healthcare professional partners, RH Managers, a private equity firm, and funding from the Development Bank of South Africa.

The hospital is being erected on the corner of the R37 and R555, next to the PPS Filling Station and Thaba Moshate Hotel Casino and Convention Resort.

Speaking to the families at the site, they indicated that they were surprised when a sod-turning ceremony was conducted in February.

“There was no proper consultation; this is our place. There are graves from the 1800s here. We are currently going to camp here and await for them to engage with us,” said family representative, Waterson Mnisi.

According to the families, there was no proper communication and they need to sit around the table with the developers.

“We will be pleased if we can be compensated as our graves are being tampered with. Our kids and grandchildren also deserve opportunities of jobs and procurement as this is our site,” they added.

The families are adamant that failure to engage them will see them close the gates on the site.

On Monday Steelburger/Lydenburg News contacted RH Managers, one of the companies responsible for erecting the hospital.

“We are still investigating. We have tasked the community liaison officer to ascertain who the parties involved are and to get their resolutions in writing. Once we get clarity on this we can then give definitive answers,” responded the company’s Dean Dimairo.

The sod-turning ceremony of the hospital was held on February 20.

During the event, the CFO of RH Managers, Dion Mhlaba, said the hospital will include 100 beds and three theatres, and is expected to open for patients in August 2024.

Doctors and specialists who will render their services will soon be secured.

“The total development cost of the hospital will be R140m, which will create 200 temporary jobs during the construction phase and 150 permanent job opportunities. This will be mainly healthcare workers and nurses. Sixty five per cent of workers will be locals, depending on the availability of ready skills,” said Mhlaba, back in February.

Dion Mhlaba and FTLM mayor, Eddie Maila, during the sod-turning ceremony.

Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality’s mayor, Eddie Maila, was also at the event. “This development is an initiative of which, we at this council are very proud. We are proud because it is not only going to bring medical healthcare closer to our people, but it is also going to create permanent job opportunities and temporary jobs for our communities.

“We thank all the partners who have worked tirelessly on this project to ensure that it becomes a success. We are very confident that the project will progress well, without any challenges that will hinder its progress,” he said.