City must address idle mobile clinics

bought and modified last year.

Moodley, who visits the Westville library frequently, said she saw the vehicles and inquired about their use from the staff of the health unit, who told her they were not in use. “The idea behind the vehicles was to serve the disadvantaged communities in the Durban central area. One of the staff members said they were not operational and there were no mileage records. “If (they are) not being used frequently then this is wasted expenditure. The money used for these vehicles could be put into other important projects,” she said. A former city official who did not want to be named said it was a big problem.

“There seems to be a shortage of code 10 drivers that is causing the delay of the use of vehicles.

“The city needs to take drastic action. If the vehicles are not being used, they need to be deployed to other areas of need,” said Moodley.

The head of communication for eThekwini municipality, Tozi Mthethwa, said they were in the process of acquiring drivers.

“These vehicles will be used as part of all municipal health and outreach programmes,” she said, but neither confirmed nor denied whether they were currently being used.