Gauteng Department of Infrastructure’s (GDID) decision to terminate the 3-year maintenance contract of a lift company; Schindler lifts (Pty) Ltd has yielded positive results at hospitals. The GDID took action against Schindler more than a week ago for failing to adhere to contractual obligations to maintain lifts at the Gauteng Hospitals. Already, some at Gauteng hospitals are praising the department for the action.
“Some great improvement with lifts, four at the Theatre are working well. It would be great if we could get the two at Susanhof working then we will have even bigger smiles,” Helen Joseph CEO, Hospital Raymond Billa said in the hospital’s open communication on the status of lifts on Friday.
Schindler Lifts were appointed in February this year and were served with warning letters in July following recurring lifts breakdowns at several Hospitals such as Leratong Hospital, Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, Helen Joseph Hospital and the GDID Westhoven Regional Offices.
GDID said numerous meetings with Schindler failed to yield any results as lifts would fail the same day or the following day. It has become clear that lifts across Schindler maintained sites were unreliable and despite it all, Schindler refused to provide a dedicated technician to GDID sites in spite of the daily breakdowns occurring at the sites.
New lifts contractors have been appointed for the maintenance of lifts at all the sites where Schindler Lifts was removed.
For enquiries contact:
Mbangwa Xaba
MEC Mayathula-Khoza Spokesperson
Cell: 072 447 6582
E-mail: mbangwa.xaba@gauteng.gov.za
