Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by Cllr Lebohang Mohlamme and Afrikaans soundbite by David van Vuuren MPL. See attached pictures here, here, and here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will escalate the matter of the incomplete Harry Gwala Clinic to the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality and the Free State Department of Health.
During an oversight visit, the DA discovered that the long-delayed construction project remains unfinished, despite repeated commitments made to the community. This project was specifically designed to expand the existing clinic, which is severely undersized and unable to accommodate the volume of patients it serves.
Due to these delays, patients are forced to wait for extended periods in overcrowded and poorly ventilated spaces, a situation that becomes intolerable during the hot summer months.
Overcrowding not only undermines patient dignity but also increases health risks, places additional strain on healthcare workers, and limits access to timely primary healthcare services. As a result, vulnerable residents are left to suffer the consequences of government inaction. We firmly believe that a caring and capable government must ensure that accessible, affordable, and high-quality healthcare is available to every resident.
Through the committee in the Free State Legislature, the DA will demand a full report outlining the reasons for the delays, the current status of the project, and the expenditure to date.
We will also insist on a clear, publicly communicated timeline for completing the clinic and will pursue further oversight and legislative action if these demands are not met. The people of Botshabelo deserve answers, accountability, and a fully functional clinic without further delay.