Health Ombud Professor Taole Mokoena released a damning report of a Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital following a complaint from Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi in October 2024.
“It paints a grim picture of a facility in a state of near-total collapse,” reported Business Day (31 July 2025).
The hospital was without mains electricity for over two years due to cable theft and vandalism at a nearby substation in 2022. During this time nurses were forced to use their mobile phones as torches to navigate darkened wards. Meanwhile, private facilities in the area restored power within days.
“Broken windows were left unrepaired, electromagnetic security doors were non-functional, and sewage was reportedly seeping from shower drains. The hospital was critically understaffed, with only 323 of its 593 positions filled.”
The Ombud recommended a full forensic investigation into “shocking procurement irregularities” in the procurement processes for the hospital. He also called for disciplinary action to be taken against several state employees, including the provincial supply chain manager.”