News24 | PODCAST | The Lead: Why is Gauteng’s R700m forensic super-lab still closed?

We’re on the cusp of finally realising world-class pathology services and speeding up autopsies in Gauteng. But an outstanding R100 million debt stands in the way of cutting the ribbon to Johannesburg’s new but still vacant Forensic Medical Services super-lab.

It’s a state-of-the-art facility meant to speed up the processing of post-mortems and toxicology reports to give grieving families much-needed closure.

But Gauteng’s new R703m Forensic Medical Services super-lab in Johannesburg’s Auckland Park near the Helen Joseph Hospital remains a ghost town.

It’s 98% complete, but the building contractors refuse to lift another finger until they’re paid the final costs they claim they’re owed.

In the meantime, a derelict, downtown Hillbrow facility continues to pick up the slack of Gauteng’s pathology services.

A journalist who’s been on this story for many years is News24’s Alex Patrick, who brings us up to speed with the facility’s persistent delays.

Later in the show, an ex-apartheid-era policeman has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars for the 1987 murder of student activist Caiphus Nyoka.
Finally, don’t know how to get your local pothole plugged?

Well, there’s soon to be a “Fixlocal” app for that!

You can send show host Graeme Raubenheimer a short voice note with your questions or thoughts on this episode to our official The Lead WhatsApp line, that’s: +27 72 562 3179. Mail your comments to thelead@24.com. Editions drop on Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.

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