Buziwe Nocuze
A fifth clinic in Cape Town has been closed after criminals attacked and robbed security personnel.
The City of Cape Town decided to close down the Masincedane Clinic on Sunday indefinitely.
Patricia van der Ross, the City’s MCM for Community Services and Health, said the incident had put extra strain on already stretched services.
“At the same time, the impact on vulnerable residents is severe. They now must travel further and spend additional money to get to a clinic.”
A resident told Scrolla.Africa that the clinic closure will negatively impact patients, and some might default on their chronic medicine.
“Our clinics take a certain number of patients daily; those clinics are not coping as it is. How will they assist us while there are so many complaints from their patients?” asked the resident.
However, there was no need for the clinic to be closed.
“I feel the decision to close the clinic was harsh. Why not add security staff and continue with the services? People do not have money to travel to other clinics.”
Nolonwabo Ganga, 40, said the attack on government institutions, especially clinics, will only stop when the communities work with the SAPS.
“We know the criminals, and we live with them. So why can’t we report them to the SAPS to stop this?” asked Ganga.
She believes the community has a hand in the facilities being robbed because they buy stolen property.
“We need to stop supporting these people by buying stolen goods; they rob people because they know there are people who will buy stolen goods.”
Patients with appointments have been contacted to reschedule their health visits while chronic medication will be couriered to clients at the alternative clinic they are attending in the interim.
Clients are advised to attend the neighbouring clinics of Gugulethu, Nyanga, and Vuyani.
