ActionSA demands accountability over R28 million Boipatong Old Age Home scandal
ActionSA in Emfuleni is outraged by the state of the Boipatong Old Age Home, where R28 million has already been spent, yet construction has not progressed, and no elderly residents are benefiting from the stalled project.
The project, launched by the Emfuleni Local Municipality in 2015, has been plagued by delays, from contractor failures and poor administration to community unrest. Most shocking of all, planning came to a halt nearly a decade later after the late discovery of a gas pipeline beneath the site.
Bongani Dhlamini, ActionSA Emfuleni Regional Chairperson, said the Boipatong Old Age Home debacle highlights the ANC-led government's disregard for residents' well-being and blatant misuse of public funds, adding that those responsible must be held accountable.
'The Department of Infrastructure Development, Emfuleni Municipality, the appointed contractors, as well as all political and administrative officials who oversaw this project without intervening when the project was halted, must be held accountable. Political leadership cannot hide behind bureaucratic excuses - oversight is their duty, and failure to act makes them accessories to the failure of this project.'
The Department of Infrastructure Development (DID) has now promised that the Boipatong Old Age Home project could be completed by the end of 2026, but only if all conditions are favourable.
Dhlamini criticised the Department of Infrastructure Development, calling its 2026 completion promise nothing more than 'political theatre' in the absence of a transparent plan, secured funding, and confirmed contractors. He said ActionSA is demanding a detailed, publicly accessible recovery plan with monthly progress reports to ensure accountability.
During an oversight visit last year, 2024, ActionSA said they interacted with residents and families of the would-be beneficiaries, and according to Dhlamini, their local structures have maintained regular contact. The feedback has been deeply troubling; many feel abandoned, have lost trust in the government, and doubt whether the project will ever be completed.
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."
Theo Nkonki, spokesperson for Gauteng MEC Jacob Mamabolo, told The Star that the government is taking strong steps to ensure the Boipatong Old Age Home is finished by 2026: 'We have launched a detailed planning process that includes updated technical studies, revised project scopes, and active engagement with key stakeholders like SASOL.'
Nkonki added that safety considerations and redesign efforts are underway, and new contracts will include penalties to hold contractors accountable.
When asked why the gas pipeline wasn't detected during the early planning phases, Nkonki explained that the pipeline was only identified during a more thorough review after the department took over the project.
'The SASOL gas pipeline next to the construction site was uncovered during a comprehensive technical assessment that had not been done in the earlier stages.
'The lack of coordinated planning and inadequate initial evaluations contributed to the oversight. We are now in consultation with SASOL to reassess the project's feasibility and prioritise public safety,' he said.
The Star
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