City condemns the targeting of community facilities
08 August 2023
STATEMENT BY MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES AND HEALTH, COUNCILLOR PATRICIA VAN DER ROSS
I am horrified at the events of the past 24 hours, directed at some of our clinics and libraries.
Yesterday morning, many staff members made their way to their posts, in spite of the volatility in a number of areas.
As the morning wore on, at least eight clinics were systematically forced to close their doors – in some instances by masked thugs who threatened and intimidated staff and clients.
Enforcement services had to be called in to assist with evacuating staff at the Blue Downs and Mfuleni clinics.
Then, just after 18:00, looters broke into the Brown's Farm Library in Philippi and proceeded to steal computer equipment and appliances.
They returned an hour later, and broke doors and windows at the facility, which is now closed until further notice.
Given the ongoing volatility in the area, a full assessment of the damage has yet to be completed, but if this is indeed the worst case scenario, the library would have lost at least 15 computers.
We are also awaiting confirmation on the extent of damages to our Youth Clinic in Site C, Khayelitsha, with reports of the facility being vandalised overnight.
These senseless acts of violence and intimidation have done nothing but hurt the affected communities.
Stolen and damaged infrastructure will take time to replace; the impact on human resources at our clinics and libraries as staff rightfully take time to deal with the trauma, will affect service delivery; and this in turn will directly affect our residents, and even some of the very people who have participated in these criminal acts disguised as protest action.
Today, a number of our clinics and libraries remain closed, due to staff shortages or volatility in the areas where they are situated.
LIBRARY CLOSURES:
All facilities in Khayelitsha, Crossroads, Dunoon, Heideveld, Langa, Lwandle, Melton Rose, Mowbray, Nyanga, Philippi East, Scottsdene, Simonstown, Bloubergstrand, Eikendal, Tafelsig and Weltevreden.
CLINIC CLOSURES:
Bloekombos, Claremont, Crossroads 1, Delft South, Diep River, Dr. Ivan Toms, Eastridge, Factreton, Fish Hoek, Gugulethu, Langa, Lentegeur, Manenberg, Masincedane, Masiphumelele, Muizenberg, Mzamomhle, Philippi, Phumlani, Ruimte Road, Site B Male Clinic, Site B Youth Clinic, Site C Youth Clinic, Strandfontein, Town 2 CDC, Wallacedene, Weltevreden Valley ,Wesbank and Westlake. The Nyanga, Fezeka and Khayelitsha Environmental Health offices are closed and staff are deployed to work in other areas. The Scottsdene Matrix site based on the grounds of Scottsdene CHC is closed.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
