MIDDELBURG – Several issues have been flagged at the Middelburg Hospital, named King Nyabela Hospital, ahead of its official opening in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.
Rising costs, the state of access roads, and outstanding utility bills were raised at the 220-bed hospital, situated near the N4 highway, opposite Middelburg Mall.
This occurred during an oversight visit held on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, by the joint portfolio committees on Public Works, Roads and Transport (DPWRT), as well as Health.
The Level 1 district hospital was originally budgeted at R1.03 billion, later revised to R1.77 billion.
Committee members and stakeholders also expressed concern about delays in officially handing over the state-of-the-art hospital to the provincial Department of Health.
Construction, carried out by ENZA Construction, began in 2019, with an initial completion target of November 30, 2024. However, this target was missed due to several factors including design revisions, variation orders, and legal challenges.
Community unrest during the project timeline also contributed to the delays and cost escalations.
The hospital, which is set to meet the growing healthcare needs of the Steve Tshwete community — including areas such as Hendrina, Arnot and Doornkop — is now reportedly 100% complete. Final handovers are currently taking place, including room-by-room inspections, the installation of security measures such as surveillance cameras, and the setup of controlled access systems.
The facility also features a 600-seat auditorium, staff accommodation, and a dedicated training centre to enhance the skills of healthcare professionals.
It was also reported during the in-loco inspection that the contractor is finalising minor works, including deep cleaning, resolving minor defects in HVAC systems, and addressing issues with external infrastructure such as carports, boom gates, and disability access.
The hospital will provide an extensive range of services, including outpatient care, maternity services, trauma and emergency care, as well as specialised services such as oncology, dialysis, medical imaging, and pathology.
The Provincial Treasury noted that changes in the project scope had contributed to the increased budget and raised concerns about parking allocations.
The DPWRT reassured the committee that access roads would be developed and that parking provisions would comply with municipal requirements.
In response to concerns around budgeting and escalating costs, the committee requested a detailed financial report for further scrutiny.
During the State of the Province Address (SOPA) on February 28, Premier Mandla Ndlovu announced that King Nyabela Hospital would be opened by the country’s number one citizen.
“We have a date with President Ramaphosa to come and open the state-of-the-art health facility, Middelburg Hospital, with 220 beds,” he said.
