Parliament, Wednesday, 4 February 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Health has noted with serious concern the poor state of infrastructure at Mapulaneng Hospital in Mpumalanga, which poses significant risks to patient safety, staff wellbeing and the delivery of quality healthcare services. These observations were made during an oversight visit conducted on Tuesday as part of the committee’s week-long oversight programme in Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces.
The oversight programme forms part of the committee’s mandate to assess the condition of public healthcare facilities, particularly in provinces affected by environmental damage caused by flooding. While the committee acknowledges that some of these challenges are beyond the direct control of the province, it emphasised the need for a clear and comprehensive provincial plan to mitigate the impact of natural disasters on healthcare infrastructure.
During a debriefing session with the Mpumalanga Provincial Department of Health, committee members commended healthcare workers for their commitment to improving services under difficult conditions. However, the committee stressed that the challenges at Mapulaneng Hospital are severe and systemic, stemming from a combination of infrastructure decay, funding constraints, management weaknesses and staffing shortages. The overall condition of the hospital was described as unacceptable.
The committee expressed concern about the slow progress in constructing the new hospital intended to replace the current dilapidated facility. Based on its observations made during an unscheduled visit to the construction site, the committee stated that the July deadline for completion is unrealistic. Members raised alarm over the apparent lack of activity on site, visible defects such as a deteriorating helipad, and indications that the contractor is defaulting. The committee called for clear plans, timelines and accountability measures from the provincial Department of Health and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, as the implementing agent.
Of particular concern is the hospital’s non-compliance with health and safety standards. The committee indicated that, based on its observations, Mapulaneng Hospital should not be operational in its current state. It highlighted serious risks related to structural integrity, including buildings that could collapse, and called for an urgent review of boiler registrations and safety inspections. The committee warned that failure to address these issues could result in catastrophic consequences.
The committee also raised concern over the reported R10 million CT scanner that is currently not in use, with no clear plan for its optimal utilisation. Members described it as unacceptable that such an expensive and critical piece of equipment remains idle while patients are referred elsewhere for CT scans. The committee recommended that hospital management, in collaboration with clinicians, urgently develop and implement a plan to make the CT scanner fully operational.
Additional concerns included pressure on operating theatres, with up to 30% of theatre cases reportedly being cancelled, ongoing water supply challenges that compromise hygiene and patient care, and reports that medical staff are forced to fetch water with buckets, including in operating theatres. The committee described this situation as a serious violation of basic healthcare standards. The Mpumalanga MEC for Health, Ms Sasekani Manzhini, acknowledged the water supply challenges and committed to immediate investigations and corrective action.
The committee further requested comprehensive reports on non-functional ambulances, including the 56 ambulances currently under repair, and indicated it would also seek a report from the Department of Social Development on social worker-led programmes addressing malnutrition. Members noted with concern the exclusion of midwifery from nurse training programmes, warning that this exacerbates the national shortage of midwives and places further strain on hospitals.
Committee Chairperson Ms Faith Muthambi also highlighted the growing challenge of unclaimed bodies, describing it as a national compliance issue that requires closer collaboration with the Department of Social Development to prevent overcrowding and backlogs in healthcare facilities. She emphasised the importance of regular progress updates to Parliament.
The committee has requested a detailed written report from the Mpumalanga Department of Health within three months, outlining corrective measures, timelines and progress made in addressing the identified challenges. It further proposed a joint meeting with the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure to urgently engage the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and contractors on the status of the new hospital project, including concerns related to blacklisted contractors.
The committee reiterated that patient and staff safety must remain paramount and stressed the urgency of determining when Mapulaneng Hospital can safely transition to the new facility.
The committee will continue its oversight programme on Wednesday, 4 February, with visits in Limpopo Province. See link to programme here: https://tinyurl.com/mwhzxuec
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MS FAITH MUTHAMBI.
For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Yoliswa Landu (Ms)
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E-mail: ylandu@parliament.gov.za
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