Reign of terror at Bay clinics

Armed robbery in Kwazakhele the latest in onslaught on metro’s health facilities

Criminals have taken over Nelson Mandela Bay clinics, with escalating reports of break-ins, robberies and staff being held at gunpoint.

The situation is so bad that unions have threatened to withdraw their labour from all healthcare facilities if security is not stepped up.

Yesterday, in the latest in a string of incidents, two emergency medical services employees were robbed at gunpoint at the Kwazakhele clinic at 8.15am by six people who then attempted to steal their ambulance.

Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said the ambulance had slowed down for a group of people they thought had wanted to ask for directions.

“As they [the ambulance] stopped, a gun was pointed at the driver who was pulled from the vehicle.

“The driver and a passenger were robbed of their cellphones and belongings.

“It appears that the suspects then tried to drive away with the ambulance, but ran away when they were unable to.”

He said a case of attempted hijacking and robbery was under investigation.

Just last week, on April 2, the clinic in Befile Street was also broken into and two computers were stolen.

“The next morning security guards arrived to open the clinic, and noticed the burglar bars had been removed and a window smashed.

“Two computers were stolen. A case of housebreaking is under investigation,” Beetge said.

Over four days in June last year, at least five incidents were reported at Nelson Mandela Bay clinics, including a gunfight between rival gangs outside Kariega’s Rosedale Clinic gates.

One person was killed. In another incident, three suspected gangsters chased a person into the Middle Street Clinic in Kariega and stabbed him to death.

Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA regional chair Vuyo Nodlawu said security was a major concern at all Bay clinics and state hospitals.

Nodlawu said they had received an increase in reports of burglaries and robberies at healthcare institutions.

“We have engaged the health department on several occasions about this, and they highlighted the issue of financial challenges.

“We then proposed cost-effective ways of protecting these facilities with proper fencing, and to increase visible security at hotspot areas while they work on their financial challenges,” Nodlawu said.

He said the Kwazakhele clinic had a night guard who was removed on April 1.

The burglary took place the next day.

Night security at the Veeplaas clinic was also apparently removed at the beginning of the year.

The Missionvale clinic had two security guards during the day as a response to crime prevalence in the area, but there was now only one.

“When we did our safety and risk assessment of the clinics and hospitals, we indicated that at least 63 security guards were needed.

“Our staff are facing trauma day in and day out, and as a result there is an increase in those suffering from psychological trauma.

“Our demand was clear. “A new security company with the expertise to offer better security to our hospitals and clinics needs to make a thorough assessment of the situation,” Nodlawu said.

“We will be following up on our demands to ensure our workers are protected, or else we will be forced to withdraw our labour wherever we feel our members are not being safeguarded.”

National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw) provincial secretary Mzikazi Nkata said they were disappointed that clinics had become the targets of breakins, robberies and, in some cases, workers being held at gunpoint.

“This is nothing new, but now the situation has worsened due to the reduction in security personnel at facilities.

“The department is [blaming] the non-availability of funds and that it is applying austerity measures to save money, but now the question is ‘at whose expense are they making these savings?’

“We long ago advised the department that this tendering and outsourcing of security is failing, especially with them [allegedly] failing to pay SMMEs on time, resulting in the security officers not getting paid.”

Nkata said Nupsaw was planning a march for April 12 to demand adequate security at all facilities.

She said they had also re

cently received reports of incidents at the Veeplaas and Missionvale clinics.

However, these incidents could not immediately be confirmed.

Samkelo Msila, of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union, said they were equally concerned about the level of crime, and condemned the criminal acts being perpetrated by members of the community.

Msila called on residents to step up and fight crime in their communities.

“These criminals are deliberately depriving people of their basic human right to health care.

“There has been a lot of crime at these facilities and the various law enforcement agencies and policing forums are aware of it.

“But at this moment there is no solution as the SAPS alone cannot eradicate crime.

“They need the assistance of community leaders to play a role in reporting the perpetrators.

“Crime intelligence needs to be deployed for the purpose of arresting criminals and stakeholders to curb criminality.

“Our ambulance members have to endure the trauma of being held at gunpoint, and the staff in the clinic are indirectly affected as they wonder when they will be next,” Msila said.

Health department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo had failed to comment by the time of publication.