The Johannesburg Forensic Pathology Laboratory (JFPL) remains incomplete, despite promises made by the Gauteng Infrastructure Development MEC Jacob Mamabolo in August 2025 that the project would be completed “before Christmas 2025”. This situation has dire consequences for Gauteng residents in need of timely autopsies, post-mortems, and toxicology reports, and would benefit from the services of this facility.
This startling information was revealed during a recent Health and Wellness Portfolio Committee meeting, where we were informed that the JFPL has requested additional financial assistance from the Gauteng Provincial Treasury.
Construction of this facility, located at Helen Joseph Hospital, began around 2016, with an estimated budget of R588 million. To date, the JFPL has cost taxpayers more than R703 million, with costs continuing to rise as the last contractor on site claims he is still owed over R100 million.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has been actively calling for the completion of this essential facility since 2022. This sustained pressure led MEC Mamabolo to commit to initiating an enquiry into the delays in completing the JFPL and asserting that he had sought legal advice on the matter.
However, the completion date for the lab has been pushed back again, deepening frustration among residents of Gauteng.
During his State of the Province Address, Panyaza Lesufi reiterated the commitment to digitise patient records and fix the failing electronic queue management system. However, it is hard to trust these promises when his government is struggling to open the JFPL, reportedly 98% finished and only needs fire hydrants.
A DA-led Gauteng government would have ensured the timely completion and full operation of this critical forensic facility, instead of mismanaging infrastructure delivery and delaying essential public services.