Claimed community clinic construction site now a dumpsite

In mid-2019, residents were delighted to learn of a community clinic that was to be erected by the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (DPWRT). At the time, the Tribune enquired as to the reasoning of community centre being constructed, whilst the surrounding residents still are without permanent housing, and the majority of residents in the area lacking electrical, water and sewage infrastructure. While the mentioned enquiries were sidestepped, the sudden preparations were touted to be a 24-Hour Community Health Centre, to be constructed by the DPWRT on behalf of Mpumalanga Provincial Department of Health.

It is a government policy to employ and procure building materials local. It was also stated that Sustainable Integrated Human Settlements Projects within the municipal area were employed, and that significant work had been done by the Department of Human Settlements towards full implementation of an integrated human settlement project in Ermelo Extension 44 and KwaZanele Extension 6. These two extensions were, at the time, stated as identified to be part of the UISP Programme (Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme) which is currently underway. According to MLM, the construction of top structures of the above projects were underway at the time of enquiry, which was June 2019. Alas, the fiery enthusiasm shown by the DPWRT in 2019, has fizzled in fantastic fashion, and the construction site now has transformed to a refuse dump. Enquiries to the DPWRT have yielded no results, and the status of the project is unknown at this time.