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The Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development (GDID) has been fined R75 million for failing to adhere to environmental regulations. This came about as a result of GDID failing to obtain environmental authorization before installing diesel tanks at 16 health facilities in Gauteng in 2014. The diesel tanks were required to provide fuel for gas boilers at the hospitals.

This is deeply worrying as it means that the GDID is not putting the safety of our residents and the environment first and instead is willing to waste taxpayers’ money by paying a huge fine, which instead could have been used to bolster our social infrastructure in the province.

In response to my questions to GDID, it was indicated that the tanks were installed without the required environmental impact assessment and that at the time of installation, GDID had no environmental officers employed in the department to provide an environmental advisory service.

Instead of accepting responsibility and accountability, GDID has pointed fingers at the service providers who installed the diesel tanks for not observing or advising the department about the National Environmental Management Act requirement concerning tank installation.

It is simply unconscionable that citizens should be put at risk as a result of the incompetence of government. GDID has been dogged by numerous crises over many years, from buildings not being compliant with Health and Safety Regulations, to the collapse of structures at schools and hospitals, the Bank of Lisbon disaster and the fire at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital.

The fact that it has taken more than 8 years for this matter to be dealt with is a clear indication of the dysfunctionality of the Gauteng administration.

This once again points to the ongoing lack of expertise within GDID. This nonchalant attitude of MEC Tasneem Motara is only harming the residents of Gauteng. If Premier David Makhura was serious about ensuring that sufficient social infrastructure is built and maintained he would seriously consider relieving MEC Motara of her duties. The DA will continue to demand that this department be disbanded as it keeps limping from one crisis to the next.

Issued by DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Infrastructure Development and Property Management, Alan Fuchs MPL