​STATEMENT BY THE CITY’S MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR AREA EAST, COUNCILLOR ANDA NTSODO

I am deeply disturbed by the ongoing theft and vandalism at our City of Cape Town health facilities in Khayelitsha.

This past weekend, criminals targeted the Matthew Goniwe Clinic, Site B Male Clinic, and the Khayelitsha Environmental Health Department offices. To make matters worse, a City vehicle driven by an Environmental Health official was hijacked by three armed men and later recovered in Site B.

These incidents come just weeks after we highlighted several other incidents of theft and vandalism at our clinics. Among the items stolen were computers needed to locate patient records and to capture clinical data and laboratory results, leading to increased waiting times for clients to be seen. It is disappointing that elements within the communities continue to hamper our progress in this manner.

Not only does it mean diverting funds from lifesaving and life-changing programmes to effect the necessary repairs, but it also affects the morale of both clients and staff.

I also visited the Monwabisi Beach Resort yesterday to assess the damage and impact on services after protestors damaged the building and torched a car. Violent incidents like these cannot be condoned. I will convene a public meeting in Khayelitsha in due course to discuss the issue and how the community and the City can work together to make an exception of what currently appears to be the norm.

The City of Cape Town has worked hard to shape its Organisational Development and Transformation Plan so that we can provide even better services to our residents and we cannot allow thugs to derail our efforts.