Note to Editors: Attached please find a soundbite in English here by DA MPL, Refiloe Nt’sekhe.
Months of sustained pressure by the Democratic Alliance (DA) on the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) have finally secured the reopening of the Dr Fabian and Florence Rebeiro Rehabilitation Centre in Cullinan, Tshwane. The prolonged closure of the centre for renovations, coupled with repeated delays in its reopening, denied Gauteng residents battling substance abuse access to critical treatment and rehabilitation services needed to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.
From the onset, the DA opposed the department’s decision to shut down the entire facility for renovations. Previous renovations were undertaken in phases, allowing services to continue while upgrades were carried out. But the then MEC for Gauteng Social Development, Faith Mazibuko, refused to listen and closed the entire centre.
The results of this poor decision-making were predictable. Hundreds of vulnerable Gauteng residents were deprived of access to desperately needed inpatient rehabilitation services. Meanwhile, staff at the centre had been coming to work and receiving salaries since January, even though there were no clients to serve. The facility was initially expected to reopen in February, then the deadline was pushed to May, only for residents to encounter yet another delay.
Throughout this period, the DA relentlessly raised the alarm, conducted oversight inspections at the facility, and submitted questions to the MEC in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), calling for accountability from the department. It is therefore not a coincidence that the facility has finally reopened.
This entire saga highlights a fundamental failure of planning and project management by the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG), which continues to struggle with the implementation of the Tswa Daar campaign, meant to help those battling substance abuse. So, while the reopening of the centre is welcome, it does not absolve the department of responsibility for months of unnecessary delays and service interruptions.
The DA considers the reopening a victory for the people of this province. However, our work does not end here. We will continue to monitor the facility closely and hold the department accountable to ensure that Gauteng residents have access to quality rehabilitation services.
The DA is the only party committed to helping our people break free from substance abuse. A DA-led Gauteng Government will ensure that renovations to rehabilitation facilities are done section by section to avoid halting services. We will also ensure that contractors complete renovations within set budgets and timelines. Service delivery should never be put on hold due to poor planning and weak project management.