Millions wasted as South Hills Clinic project stalls

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26-09-2025
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The Citizen Online
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Proposed expansion: Tax payers’ money spent on a costly fence at the South Hills Clinic is wasted after thieves and vandals leave parts of it missing.

A contentious issue has arisen in South Hills, Joburg, regarding the proposed expansion of the South Hills Clinic.

In 2022, the Department of Health informed residents of its intention to extend the clinic, revealing the location of the land in question.

However, an investigation by Ward 57 Clr Faeeza Chame found that the land had a registered owner, prompting her to notify the department that construction could not proceed without resolving the ownership issue.

Despite this warning, the department went ahead with its plans, erecting a clear-view fence at a cost of millions to taxpayers.

The project was put on hold after the landowner confronted them. Now, the fence is being stolen and vandalised, frustrating residents.

“As the project has been left on hold for so long, the fence is now being stolen piece by piece. People are taking meters of fencing that cost taxpayers millions. The role players need to come together to solve this issue,” said Chame.

Chame had previously informed the department about the potential consequences, but it ignored her warnings.

“This is a clear example of the incompetence of the officials,” she said.

According to Chame, this highlights the department’s failure to implement security measures despite assurances.

“The situation has left residents questioning the management of public funds and the prioritisation of community needs.”

Sandile Gwayi, the spokesperson for the Johannesburg Department of Health district and hospital-based communications team, spoke to the Southern Courier about the situation.

“I am aware of the South Hills Clinic expansion project which began in 2022. The issues regarding procurement of the land are still unresolved and I do not deal with that. In terms of the vandalised fence, I would have to follow up and check if there should be security provided and what the way forward is, although it is more the CoJ that leads the project,” said Gwayi.

As the clinic falls under the CoJ, the CoJ’s Health and Social Development Department’s Ayanda Radebe was contacted.

“The project has been on hold since 2023, as it did not get the go-ahead, and no building took place. The vandalism is a problem and needs to be dealt with. Unfortunately, I am not in a position to give a way forward on that, but I will follow up and get back to you,” said Radebe.

According to Radebe, the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) was responsible for the land procurement aspect of the project.

The JPC spokesperson, Lucky Sindane, spoke about the project.

“The JPC has not restarted the project because the land was part of a previously owned property, and the owner did not want to sell despite the JPC making an offer. The project was last looked at in 2023, but has not been discussed since. I cannot give any details on the future of the project at this time,” said Sindane.