ActionSA takes Boipatong Old Age Home scandal to Public Protector

Allegations of corruption and mismanagement have surfaced as ActionSA files a formal complaint with the Public Protector over the Boipatong Old Age Home project, which has stalled and already cost R28 million.

This comes after the party lodged a criminal complaint against the Emfuleni Local Municipality, the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development, and the Department of Social Development.

The Star previously reported that the Boipatong Old Age Home project, launched by the Emfuleni Local Municipality in 2015, has been mired in delays. 

Almost a decade later, construction came to a standstill following the late discovery of a gas pipeline beneath the site, further hindered by contractor failures, poor administration, and ongoing community unrest.

ActionSA Gauteng Provincial Legislature Caucus Leader Funzi Ngobeni said the Boipatong Old Age Home was meant to provide a fully equipped residential facility for elderly residents, featuring 44 en-suite rooms, a dining hall, a sick bay, and other communal amenities.

Ngobeni said the project is far from complete, with only 52% of the work finished. 

“R25 million has been paid to the main contractors, and over R3 million to professional service providers. To date, no recovery efforts or accountability measures have been taken by the responsible departments,” he said.

He added that ActionSA has urged the Public Protector to investigate the Boipatong Old Age Home project, including whether its procurement, management, and oversight were conducted according to legal and ethical standards, why no disciplinary or legal action has been taken against the officials or contractors involved, whether the Departments of Social Development and Infrastructure Development failed in their public service duties, and what measures could be implemented to ensure accountability and the project’s completion.

“This situation reflects a gross failure to use the public purse responsibly. It raises serious concerns of maladministration, fruitless and wasteful expenditure, and the potential violation of the constitutional rights of vulnerable elderly citizens.” Ngobeni said.

Some community members expressed deep frustration and despair over the stalled Boipatong Old Age Home project, sharing their concerns and disappointment on social media.

Lori Batista said, “This is heartbreaking. Only black citizens can stop this. They need to be shown how they’re being used. If they don’t vote out the corrupt leaders, there’s no future; South Africa will end up worse than Zimbabwe. My heart bleeds.”

“Not one project completed in more than 30 years of ruling. Only corruption and stealing to line their own pockets,” said Lettie Hattingh Kriel.

Vivienne Haddad Kirkbride echoed these feelings, expressing disbelief that those involved in the project show no shame. She said, "I would never live with myself if I took even a teaspoon that didn’t belong to me…We’re not all cut from the same cloth."

Previously, Gauteng MEC Jacob Mamabolo’s spokesperson, Theo Nkonki, said the government is taking decisive steps to complete the Boipatong Old Age Home by 2026: ‘We have launched a detailed planning process, including updated technical studies, revised project scopes, and active engagement with key stakeholders such as SASOL.’

Nkonki added that safety considerations and redesign efforts are ongoing, and that new contracts will include penalties to ensure contractors are held accountable.

Despite a total budget of R44.3 million and more than R28 million already spent, the Boipatong Old Age Home remains unfinished, vandalised, and has yet to provide any services.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za