Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital, one of South Africa’s oldest and most significant mental health institutions, has in recent years become a symbol of the broader crisis facing public healthcare facilities — marked by infrastructure failures, unstable utilities, and mounting frustration among frontline workers.

Located in Pretoria, the hospital has repeatedly been affected by electricity disruptions linked to municipal billing disputes and aging infrastructure, leaving wards in darkness and forcing staff to work under what they describe as dangerous conditions.

The psychiatric institution has experienced multiple power outages, including a high-profile disconnection by the City of Tshwane over unpaid municipal accounts. Although electricity was later restored, staff said that outages have continued to affect lighting, heating, meal preparation, and patients bathe with cold water, leaving vulnerable psychiatric patients in compromised conditions.

While hospital officials have previously insisted that generators and contingency measures are in place to ensure continuity of care, staff members paint a far bleaker picture of daily life inside the institution.

Staff members claim that some wards can be without power for weeks at a time and clear explanations are rarely provided.

“When the power goes out, we do our rounds in complete darkness,” one nurse said. “We use cellphone torches just to see where we are going. These are patients who have mental challenges, some of them unpredictable, and we are scared for our lives.”

To mitigate the power outages, the staff said the hospital installed solar panels in all the wards as part of efforts to reduce reliance on the municipal electricity supply. However, they claim the solar panels are not operational.

“The solar panels are worth millions, but they are useless; they never worked since they were installed. We suspect the installation was just another way of embezzling funds,” said one of the employees.

Adding to the woes, the staff said water disruptions have further compounded the challenges. Like many healthcare facilities across Gauteng, Weskoppies has reportedly been affected by intermittent water shortages linked to municipal supply failures and maintenance backlogs, raising concerns about hygiene and patient care.

Several nurses and support staff, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of being targeted, allege that conditions inside the hospital have deteriorated under what they describe as ineffective management.

Concerns have also been raised about the general maintenance of the hospital grounds. Staff describe overgrown grass and weeds, giving the institution what one employee called “the appearance of an abandoned facility.”

“Weeds and grass are growing everywhere. The hospital appears neglected,” the employee said.

Despite having employed gardeners, staff members claim the gardeners rarely tend to the hospital grounds, resulting in the hiring of outside contractors for sporadic maintenance. 

“It’s very disorganised and people do as they please. Some of us know this hospital when most seniors were still white, such things were not there. There was order and everyone knew their place,” said one long-serving employee. 

“Now, even cleaners take advantage, and wards are sometimes left filthy. Patients deserve dignity.”

Staff members allege that cleaners often prioritise weekend shifts to earn overtime pay, while weekday cleaning is neglected. They claim that this issue is not adequately addressed by management.

The staff claimed that they tried several times raising their grievances with the corporate manager, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.

“It’s pointless; he doesn’t listen, doesn’t take advice from anyone, and runs the hospital like a shebeen; it’s lawlessness. His priorities are on other things and it’s definitely not health care,” said a visibly upset employee.

Concerns regarding patient nutrition have also surfaced. Nurses report frequent shortages and unbalanced meals, which they say are especially concerning given the patients’ medical needs.

“Patients should eat a balanced diet, especially because they are on medication, but most of the time that doesn’t happen,” one nurse said. 

“Sometimes meals don’t include vegetables or at least fruits for proper nutrition. Patients can go for weeks surviving just on tinned fish and rice. During winter, sometimes there is no sugar for tea to help keep patients warm. It’s really a painful thing to witness.”

“These are vulnerable people,” the staff member added. “They deserve proper care and love.”

Despite the challenges, staff say they remain committed to their jobs.

“We love our patients. That’s why we are still here,” one nurse said tearfully. “But our leaders are failing us. Patients are suffering, and we are working under extremely difficult conditions.”

In response to the allegations, the Gauteng Department of Health acknowledged the challenges faced by Weskoppies, attributing power and water interruptions to the facility’s outdated infrastructure, which is over 130 years old and external factors, such as cable theft.

The department said the hospital experienced nine electricity outages due to aging infrastructure, including one caused by cable theft affecting Pretoria West and the CBD. Water supply was briefly interrupted in December 2025, but portable tanks and water tankers ensured patient needs were met.

Additionally, the department noted that the hospital, built on the old Pretoria Botanical Gardens and spanning approximately 149 hectares, faces difficulties maintaining essential services. Seasonal overgrowth of grass and shrubs also adds to the burden.

“The hospital currently faces staffing constraints, with 19 vacancies due to compensation budget limitations. Gardening services continue despite resource challenges. The internal capacity is augmented by the external service provider assigned to the hospital until March 2026.”

While staff allege that solar panels are not operational, the department confirmed that the hospital has five backup generators which are partially functional, with two fully operational and maintained by an on-site contractor.

A response was not received regarding the operation of the solar panels. However, the department said long-term plans include replacing outdated electrical cabling, upgrading generator capacity, and procuring additional infrastructure support in the 2026/2027 financial planning cycle.

To safeguard patients and staff during service interruptions, emergency lighting, rechargeable solar lights, gas lamps, and thermal flasks for hot water have been implemented.

Furthermore, the department insisted that cleaning services meet acceptable standards and they don’t abuse their overtime.

“Supervisors and management monitor overtime usage monthly to ensure accountability. Overtime in cleaning services remains minimal and well controlled,” said the department.

Regarding patient diets, the department said the meals comply with the Gauteng Provincial Generic Menu, adapted for therapeutic diets.

“This menu is further aligned to specific patients dietary and nutritional needs as determined by the treating medical team.”

Despite machinery failures, the department said that contingency measures have ensured patients continue to receive three meals daily, therapeutic snacks, late-night snacks, and specialised diets when required.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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