The Khayelitsha Health Forum (KHF) has lambasted people who vandalised and set alight Nolungile Community Health Centre at Site C in Khayelitsha and described them as hooligans.
KHF chair Mzanywa Ndibongo urged the community to stand up and protect their facilities.
He described the perpetrators as an opportunist who used the taxi-related strike to steal.
“I don’t think the vandalism of the clinic has something to do with the taxi strike. We believe that there was a group of hooligans who decided to go to the clinic and steal. They took several computers,” said Ndibongo.
He said the clinic is a great asset to the community as it services many communities. He urged the community to report anything suspicious to the police.
Abulele Dyasi, communications officer for the Department of Health in Khayelitsha East Sub-structure, said Western Cape Government Health and Wellness can confirm that Nolungile Clinic in Khayelitsha was set alight on the night of Sunday 7 August.
“Unfortunately, some of our buildings and equipment in the Khayelitsha Eastern Substructure were vandalised. We regret that a number of our patients are suffering the consequences of the current taxi-related strike as they cannot reach our facilities, cannot collect their medication, and face long waiting times due to reduced staff numbers,” said Dyasi.
She said the facilities are operating under extreme pressure and they have severe staff shortages. She said they are prioritising the safety of their staff and patients.
“We are doing our best to ensure that patients receive the necessary healthcare. We have put non-urgent appointments on hold while critical patients are being seen at Site B clinic and Khayelitsha District Hospital,” said Dyasi.
There was a video that was circulating on social media of a person showing the damage that occurred inside the clinic where glass windows were smashed, papers were on the floor and chairs were all over.
Khayelitsha Police Station commander Brig Mnoneleli Magobiyane said a case of arson has been opened and is under investigation. He said no arrest has been made yet.
“Only the security shelter that was set alight. It was partially burned. There is nothing stolen that is reported,” said Magobiyane.