Fall and rise of Natalspruit Hospital

The Gauteng department of health has decided to demolish the old Natalspruit Hospital, in Katlehong, on the East Rand.

Premier David Makhura is tomorrow expected to officially open a newly built hospital, which carries the same name, in Vosloorus, east of Katlehong.

MEC Qedani Mahlangu said the demolition was necessary as the old hospital was built on dolomitic land. A sinkhole was beginning to form on the land, she said.

It's not yet clear what will happen to the vacant land after demolition.

"The old hospital will be demolished and the [department of infrastructure development] is working on concrete plans to this end," said Mahlangu.

She was responding to a question by the DA's Jack Bloom.

Mahlangu said the old hospital - a source of many horror stories from patients who were confronted with scandalous conditions daily - could not continue operating in its current state.

She also said that ANC councillors would distribute equipment from the old hospital to "local healthcare facilities". She did not explain how exactly the councillors would give away the equipment.

She said the equipment would be donated upon request from interested facilities and organisations.