Report: Millions wasted on stalled government projects

Government refurbishing and construction projects that have stalled have resulted in the wastage of millions of rands of taxpayers’ money.

This was revealed in the Auditor-General’s report in November last year that stated millions were spent on projects that dragged on for years, ultimately resulting in cost escalations.

The Sunday Times reported that the government spent almost R200 million on the Telkom Towers Building in Pretoria after buying it for R695 million in 2016 for it to serve as the new national police headquarters.

However, the publication states that public works spokesperson Thami Mchunu said the project had not been finalized and the police had not moved in.

At the same time, the construction of a mental hospital in the Northern Cape which began in 2006 at the cost of R290 million was completed last year with cumulative costs of R2 billion.

The Auditor-General warned MPs about the poor management of state properties by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and its state buildings that stood unoccupied.

-EWN

In other news – Drama at Idols SA: Unathi Nkayi fired; Somizi rehired

TV personality Unathi Nkayi will not be returning to SA Idols season 18 due to her Kaya 959 scandal. The singing competition will return next Sunday (23 January).

Sources close to the production allegedly revealed that Unathi’s exit will coincide with the dramatic return of Somizi Mhlongo who was let go in season 17. Idols SA and M-Net recently met to discuss the fate of the show, which has been heavily affected by Unathi and Somizi’s scandals. Learn More