LANSDOWNE
41 Induland Cres. Lansdowne Ind. Since 1998
Supplier of a wide range of disposable packaging • All types of Paper, Plastic bags • Cake, Pizza, Party boxes • Serviettes, Garage, Toilet rolls • Cling, Bubble, Lunch wrap • Cutlery, Straws, Heatsealers
TELLING IT AS IT IS
• Cups, Tubs, Lids • Fomo Trays, Plates • Foil Trays, Rolls • Platters, Domes • Detergents, etc
Tel: 021 691 8811 E-mail: info@carlierpackaging.co.za
Free delivery
Conditions apply
TUESDAY 18 November 2014 | 0021 910 6500 | Fax: 021 910 6501/06 | Email: post@peoplespost.co.za | Website: www.peoplespost.co.za blAckbyrd
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6 DeCember, 19:30, GranDWest CONTACT: 082 895 5093
GF JOOSTE HOSPITAL
Security injection planned
TARRENLEE HABELGAARN @LeeLaVidaLoca
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hieves and vandals have descended upon GF Jooste Hospital. The government facility has been vacant since July in preparation for a R785m upgrade. But in the past four months, crooks have started carrying away sections of the hospital, demolishing the structure to carry away the bricks. Cables have been ripped from the walls and window frames have been removed. No metal detail remains in the hospital. The on-site work at the government facility was planned to begin in early 2015. But if ongoing gang violence is not resolved, contractors may only be on site by 2016, confirms provincial heath department spokesperson Sithembiso Magubane. He says the department is now employing additional security, but insists it is costing extra funds which have not been budgeted for. “The department has employed two security guards to patrol the premises during the week, but the grounds are big and they can’t be everywhere at once. Due to recent incidents of vandalism we will have to improve security at the facility and extend the patrol hours to include weekends during the festive season,” he says. Not only is the additional security going to cost extra, but many materials that were going to be used during construction also have to be replaced, Magubane continues. “We are in the process of clearing all salvageable items and materials from the hospital to use in the renovation. Many of the sections
CRIME SCENE: Manenberg police officers inspect the site after complaints of criminal activity were reported. PHOTO: SUPPLIED we were planning to simply upgrade will now have to be demolished due to the extensive damage. “Some building materials which have already been brought on site have also been stolen,” he says. According to the department’s original plan, construction was scheduled to begin in 2013. The work was planned to take 36 months.
The hospital will now be completed by 2018/2019. “We hope to have a contractor on site as soon as possible but safety and security of workers will have to be considered too,” Magubane says. Manenberg police spokesperson Lieutenant Ian Bennett says activity on the site is a big concern. “The festive season is approach-
ing and resources will be stretched. Additional security at the hospital should be a priority as police will not be able to patrol and watch the site,” he says. “We receive regular complaints from residents living around the property of theft and vandalism taking place at the hospital and drawing more criminals to the area. The longer the hospital remains
vacant, the bigger the problem is going to get. “For thieves this is a treasure. There are a lot of things to steal and we can’t allow that behaviour. It will have a negative impact on surrounding properties too.” Once the reconstruction of the facility is completed, it will provide a full range of district hospital services for patients living in the Klipfontein area, with specialist outreach and support. In the interim patients and staff of GF Jooste Hospital are being accommodated at the new Heideveld Trauma Unit which opened in July. Alison Page (83) says although she is grateful for being able to receive free treatment at a government hospital, the upgrade needs to be completed quickly without further delay. “It is a mission for us to get to Heideveld while GF Jooste is right on our doorsteps. Services aren’t much better at the trauma unit, especially because it is being overcrowded to accommodate people from many areas,” Page argues. Gerald Adams says travelling to Heideveld is an inconvenience. “Sometimes they are unable to help you at the trauma unit and refer you to Groote Schuur,” he says. That never happened at Jooste. Travelling costs money.” Magubane says they are currently waiting on supplies, at a cost of R92 000, to replace the vandalised materials. “The hospital spent around R150 000 on maintenance each year due to vandalism while it was operating,” he adds. V What is your opinion of the vandalism? Starting with the word “Post”, SMS your thoughts to 32516. SMSes cost R1.