The proposals for the redevelopment of the Somerset Hospital Precinct have been both controversial and the subject of criticism from diverse quarters. It is incumbent on Government, as the custodian of valuable public resources, to maximise participation, consultation and transparency in the process of disposing of such assets.

Therefore, the Cabinet of the Western Cape Government, having carefully and extensively considered all the relevant facts, intends, subject to an unfolding process set out more fully hereunder, to terminate the current Request For Qualification process.

This would imply giving the current bidders an opportunity to make representations to the Provincial Government as to why the current bidding process should not be aborted and started afresh.

The Provincial Government thus proposes that the redevelopment of the Somerset Hospital Precinct be re-conceived, probably in the form of a public-private partnership involving the provincial Department of Transport and Public Works, and the National and Provincial Treasuries to ensure both optimum asset utilisation and due diligence.

It is foreseen that a new process for redeveloping the site would take into consideration all contributory work already carried out, as well as further feasibility and social and economic impact analyses. In addition future development will not necessarily take place with the hospital redesign as its central feature, but seek to achieve the best overall redevelopment proposal.

The intended process to redevelop the Somerset Hospital Precinct from scratch, taking into consideration the views of all key stakeholders including local government, will aim to secure the best possible monetary, environmental, spatial planning, economic and social returns from the site, inclusive of strong broad based economic empowerment considerations, job creation and economic impact.

Any companies and/or consortia that responded to the initial Request for Qualification would be urged to re-submit proposals in a new inclusive and open bidding process.

This decision will in no way undermine efforts to ensure that Cape Town is compliant with FIFA requirements as arrangements are being made to ensure that current casualty and associated services at Somerset Hospital will be 2010 compliant.

This is a difficult decision for the Province but I am confident that it is the correct one. In the final analysis our decision will be informed by what is in the best interests of citizens, particularly the poor and good governance.

EnquiriesAn Wentzel
Media Liaison Officer
Office of the Premier
Tel: 021 483 2536
Cell: 072 3366 385
Email: awentzel@pgwc.gov.za