Is Charlotte Maxeke at risk of collapse?

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health and Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) Jack Bloom was concerned if Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital was at the risk of collapse.

Bloom said in a statement following media reports on 23 November that he was worried by the news that a 2012 report on structural defects at the X-ray department recommended that it should be evacuated.

He explained that it was very disturbing that the province’s chief engineer, Tsepo Matekane was only made aware of the report three weeks ago.

“According to the report, there are structural defects on the fifth floor of the building and it recommends R50 million worth of urgent repairs,” Bloom said in a statement.

He further wanted to know why the report was suppressed for so long. “Matekane says that the building will not collapse and that necessary repairs will be done,” he further explained. However, Bloom has called for the report to be made publicly available and for the engineer to explain why the recent assessment differs from the 2012 assessment.

He reckoned that employees at the hospital were concerned for some time by other structural problems at the hospital, including leaking ceilings.

“Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu should release all relevant reports on the structural integrity of this hospital. There should not be any public doubt about the safety of the hospital building,” concluded Bloom.

Health spokesperson Steve Mabona indicated that the matter should be referred to the Department of Infrastructure Development.

The departmental spokesperson Mbangwa Xaba is yet to comment about the report debacle and the state of infrastructure at the hospital.

Details: DA Gauteng, 082 3334222; Department of Health, 011 355 3469; Department of Infrastructure Development, 011 355 5010.

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