Another R1 billion down the drain in South Africa
After spending over R1 billion on efforts to rescue South Africa’s flagship military hospital, the government is now considering building a new facility.
This proposal has sparked outrage in Parliament, where MPs are demanding explanations regarding the expenditure on the refurbishment of 1 Military Hospital in Thaba-Tshwane.
Despite the significant investment, large sections of the hospital remain incomplete more than two decades later.
“The Joint Standing Committee on Defence has expressed serious dissatisfaction with the change in direction regarding the long-stalled repair and maintenance project (RAMP) at 1 Military Hospital in Tshwane,” said Parliament Co-Chairperson of the committee, Phiroane Phala.
Forensic investigations have revealed allegations of corruption, tender irregularities, and wasteful spending—but years later, no one has been held accountable.
After decades of delays and repeated promises, the hospital—once considered one of the best military healthcare facilities in the region—still cannot offer the full range of specialised services expected of a Level 4 military referral hospital.
“The committee finds it inexplicable that two government departments entrusted with such a critical project can operate without sufficient alignment and information sharing,” Phala said.
“This lack of alignment has contributed significantly to the current challenges.”
A controversy arose when the Department of Defence and Military Veterans (DODMV) informed Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence (JSCD) that it was reevaluating the long-standing Repair and Maintenance Programme (RAMP).
Additionally, the department is considering the option of building a completely new military hospital.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) briefed the committee on this matter on 12 June.
“While we appreciate the rationale behind reassessing the project, it is deeply concerning that more than R1 billion has already been invested in the repair and maintenance programme without the work ever being completed,” said Phala.
20 years of “milking a cow”
The refurbishment programme was initiated after a parliamentary oversight visit in 2005, with construction work starting in 2006. However, issues related to the project date back even further.
The renovation project, which was initially estimated to cost R232 million, has faced numerous challenges, including delays, redesigns, rising costs, and allegations of mismanagement.
By March 2011, over R431 million had already been spent, yet crucial areas of the hospital remained unfinished.
In 2021, Parliament expressed concerns about the ongoing project, stating that there appeared to be no end in sight.
“We find it extremely problematic that the Ramp that started in 2005/2006 financial year is yet to be concluded,” said the former co-chairperson of the committee, Elleck Nchabeleng, at the time.
“It seems that the project is turning into a milking cow with no end in sight, which negatively affects the fiscus.”
The committee also flagged the drawn-out refurbishment phase and what was, at the time, 29 months of work with little progress.
The committee also expressed concern about the department’s rising medical outsourcing costs due to project delays.
“The committee’s concerns are heightened by the cost escalations – on one hand by construction, and on the other, the cost of medical outsourcing,” Nchabeleng said at the time.
It was reported that from the financial years 2016/17 to 2019/20, the department spent R138.7 million, R177.8 million, R130.3 million, and R182.4 million, respectively.
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