Doctors are under siege in Nelson Mandela Bay and have had to step up security and deploy armed guards as they are mercilessly targeted by criminals demanding protection fees.
Life Mercantile Hospital issued a warning to its staff on Wednesday that its doctors were being targeted by extortion gangs demanding payments of R5,000 or more.
Hospital manager Pat Lubobo wrote in a letter to doctors that they had received reports of medical practitioners receiving phone calls from an alleged hitman who claimed to have been hired to kill a doctor.
“The caller then demands a payment of R5,000 (this may vary) in exchange for the alleged telephonic recording of the people who have ordered the hit,” Lubobo wrote.
“Our doctors, employees, healthcare workers and patient safety is of paramount importance to us, and we are engaging with the building owners, SKG Properties, to discuss measures to improve security at the hospital.
“We encourage you to stay vigilant when entering or leaving the hospital and while driving.
“Kindly report anything that is suspicious or alarming to the security officers on site or to the hospital manager,” the letter, seen by The Herald, says.
The hospital manager further urged staff to remain calm should they receive a phone call from the alleged hitman, and not to engage in any arguments.
Lubobo said such incidents should be reported to the nearest police station immediately.
Life Healthcare regional manager Adriaan Jordaan confirmed the authenticity of the letter, explaining that it was sent out to all Life Mercantile Hospital doctors following reports from some staff that they had received threatening phone calls.
“The safety of our doctors, staff and patients remains a priority, and we are engaging with all stakeholders to ensure security levels within the hospital are maintained.
“We encourage our doctors to be vigilant and alert at all times, and to report any suspicious activity to the SAPS.”
Jordaan confirmed a case had been reported to the police.
The Eastern Cape has seen a surge in extortion gangs, with some children as young as 11 allegedly running their own gangs in Bay primary schools.
Meanwhile, doctors in the townships are running scared and have either had to shut down their practices or hire additional security at a hefty cost.
In July, general practitioner Dr Bongani Nqini, 55, was abducted at gunpoint from his Kwazakhele surgery.
A ransom demand of R500,000 was later made.
According to the Hawks, R50,000 in cash was also stolen from Nqini’s vehicle.
He was later rescued, physically unharmed.
Living in fear that she could be targeted for a second time, Kwazakhele doctor O O Adebisi, who declined to give her first name, has beefed up security and deployed armed guards at her practice.
Adebisi said she was recently held at gunpoint.
“I’ve had to take drastic measures since the last incident,” she said.
“I now have a private security guard at my practice because the township is just not safe.
“I have to constantly be on the lookout, looking out the window to see if anyone is watching or targeting us. It’s a constant state of [unease].
“I was held at gunpoint by four men just the other day.
“It was a terrifying experience that I’m still recovering from.”
She said she had no choice but to continue working.
“I have a family to support and I need to keep my practice running.
“So, I’m just there, day in and day out, doing my best to provide care while feeling constantly vulnerable.
“I know it’s not ideal but it’s the only way and yet I still don’t feel safe right now.
“The thought of going through something like that again is too much.
“I hope that one day the situation improves, and I can practise without fear.”
Motherwell practitioner Dr Ntsika Qupe is also living in fear.
“My practice is still open and I still go to work to see patients but I am afraid I might be next.
“Colleagues in the industry are targeted all too often.
“This thing needs to be stopped and it all starts with more hands on deck from the police.
“We are working and living in absolute fear. These criminals are heartless.
“It’s no longer just about the occasional robbery or mugging.
“We’re now seeing a disturbing trend of targeted attacks on healthcare professionals. It’s as if we’ve become easy targets,” Ntsika said.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa declined to give details about the alleged threats to doctors, and would not confirm if Mercantile Hospital or its doctors had reported a case.
“Due to the sensitive nature of these extortion cases, the police have decided not to disclose any information so as to protect the complainants and their families,” she said.
Meanwhile, further afield in the Eastern Cape, the Mthatha Ophthalmology Medical Practice announced its permanent closure earlier in August due to “the hostile criminal activities in the area”.
HeraldLIVE
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