Bay doctors plead for protection

Medics at memorial service for Zwide medical practitioner fear targeted attacks are on the rise

The vulnerability of medical practitioners in Gqeberha to criminality has come under scrutiny after the murder of Zwide-based doctor Bantu Noqekwa.

Noqekwa, 56, was gunned down by four men inside his practice in Njoli Street on Wednesday evening last week in an incident his colleagues suspect was a hit.

During his memorial service at the Dora Nginza Hospital on Wednesday, his colleagues and friends called on the police to protect doctors, saying they provided an essential service to patients who did not have to leave their communities to receive medical attention.

The medics said they believed targeted attacks against them were on the rise and that they lived in fear of who would be next.

According to one of the speakers at the service, before his killing, Noqekwa was allegedly the victim of several attacks at his Zwide practice, and that though cases were opened, no arrests were made.

“He was the victim of violent crime, having been robbed several times,” Dr Bongani Nqini told mourners.

“During one such robbery incident, Dr Noqekwa gave the robbers the material things — that is his phone and cash — in order to save the lives of his patients.”

Nqini read out a dedicated message from a long-time friend of Noqekwa’s, Tshwanebased Azapo activist Dr Mdumiseni Khanyile.

“The only conclusion that can be reached is that this was a hit. Dr Noqekwa was assassinated. Period,” Nqini said while reading the message.

He called on the police and its intelligence unit to ensure the murderers as well as the “mastermind” were brought to book.

Nqini said medical practitioners had become easy targets because their practices, which often helped the poor, were not protected.

He said the scourge of violent crime was one of the marks of a failing state.

“It is the responsibility of state security to protect its citizens from violent crime and protect its borders.

“Doctors are providing essential services to our communities. They deserve respect and protection,” Nqini said.

Dr Litha Noqekwa, a dentist who also spoke at the memorial service, recalled how his brother at one stage had attended to a patient who was the mother of one of his past assailants.

“[Despite that] he gave the mother the best he could to counsel her [and] by the time she left she was grateful, saying she will always recommend him to everyone she comes across,” he said.

In an interview yesterday, Gqeberha medical practitioner Dr Mthembeni Tebelele, who has a practice in KwaDwesi, recalled how more than 10 practices were robbed back in 2010 during a wave of crime.

“Things only got better after we had a march to the Motherwell police station.

“With something like this, we now worry about who is next,” he said.

“There is a feeling that if police could be more visible the surge would decrease again.”

Dr Andile Bovungane echoed his sentiments, saying doctors in the townships were vulnerable to crime.

“By nature of what we do, we can’t refuse patients from coming in to see us.

“Everywhere you go you will find private security. It has now become clear that even doctors will have to do the same, but at what cost,” Bovungane said.

Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge confirmed that no arrests had been made in connection with Noqekwa’s murder.

“The case is still being investigated and no further information about the investigation can be divulged to the media at present,” Beetge said.