R700 Million Forensic Lab in Joburg Still Closed as Red Tape Delays Justice and Dignity

A high-tech forensic pathology lab in Johannesburg South — built to improve DNA analysis and relieve overstretched mortuary services — continues to gather dust nearly a decade after construction began. Despite costing taxpayers over R700 million, the facility has yet to open its doors, highlighting a growing crisis in Gauteng’s public infrastructure management.

Initially launched in 2014 with a projected cost of R588 million, the facility was supposed to replace the deteriorating Hillbrow Mortuary, which handles roughly 4,000 cases annually — double its intended capacity. The lab was also designed to house a state-of-the-art toxicology unit to support law enforcement in solving criminal cases faster.

But in 2025, the building stands idle.

According to Democratic Alliance Gauteng Health spokesperson Madeleine Hicklin, the lab was already reported to be 98% complete by August 2023. So why is it still non-operational?

“It’s completely unacceptable. How do you reach the end of a project and suddenly discover it doesn’t comply with basic bylaws?” Hicklin asked in frustration. “It’s a shameful waste of money and an insult to citizens who depend on these services.”

Rotting Mortuary Conditions and Delayed Justice

The situation at Hillbrow Mortuary, where the forensic lab was supposed to provide relief, has only worsened. Reports detail horrifying conditions — blood-stained floors, blocked drains, rodent infestations, and even mishandled corpses. In some tragic cases, families have learned too late that their loved ones were misidentified or cremated without consent.

Meanwhile, the delay in opening the new lab has a ripple effect on the criminal justice system. Toxicology reports are stuck in a backlog, which slows down investigations, court proceedings, and closure for victims’ families.

Blame Game and Financial Mismanagement

Hicklin pointed fingers at both the Gauteng Department of Health and the Department of Infrastructure Development, accusing them of passing the buck while no one takes accountability.

To make matters worse, the health department is reportedly drowning in unpaid bills. Over 30,000 invoices, worth R4.8 billion, remain unsettled — further eroding public trust.

“We’re not just failing people in life,” Hicklin said. “We’re failing them in death, too.”

Opposition Demands Answers

The DA has called for urgent intervention, emphasizing that poor planning, a lack of oversight, and political appointments based on loyalty rather than merit are to blame for the mess. Hicklin says a government run by the DA would enforce strict contractor penalties, merit-based hiring, and better oversight from day one.

A Costly Standstill

Nine years after the first brick was laid, Johannesburg’s R700 million forensic facility remains unopened, while Hillbrow Mortuary struggles to keep up and thousands of crime victims continue to wait for answers.

For now, the building remains a concrete symbol of what happens when bureaucracy and mismanagement block progress — at great cost to justice, dignity, and human lives.

{Source: MSN}

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