Staff at the Rosedale Clinic are refusing to return to the facility until the department of health and security services can assure their safety and that of their patients.
Nurses, pharmacists and doctors have not been to the clinic since Monday last week after a stray bullet grazed a patient during a shootout allegedly linked to gang violence.
The workers have reported for duty at other clinics in Kariega and Gqeberha.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said a suspect had been arrested for the shooting on July 14 in Acacia Avenue.
“It is alleged that a [man] was standing in his yard in Acacia Avenue when two [men] fired several shots at him.
“They ran from the scene afterwards. The victim was not injured during the incident,” Gantana said.
She said the shooting did not involve the clinic, and it was also not the target.
In June, the clinic was rocked by another shooting incident, which has led to at least eight nurses submitting transfer requests.
On Tuesday, the staff met acting health district manager Tandisizwe Ndamase, security cluster representatives and residents at the Kariega Town Hall.
They discussed potential venues to offer temporary service delivery during the stayaway.
Embre Nelson, a nurse at the Rosedale Clinic, said the department could not expect workers to put their lives at risk.
“Until there is a plan on the table, we will not return to the clinic,” she said.
Clinic intervention committee chair Dominic Cyster said though there had been an agreement with police to conduct patrols every two hours, this had not been implemented.
“Officers making their rounds were supposed to sign the register when they did come for the checks, but unfortunately, they never came regularly,” he said.
On the lack of visibility, Gantana said the police’s reaction to the crime at the time was self-explanatory.
“Their fast reaction resulted in the arrest of a suspect as well as the confiscation of firearms.”
A staff member, who asked not to be named, said after the meeting that the incidents had been occurring frequently due to an alleged war between gangs on either side of the clinic.
Also after the meeting, the department’s sub-co-ordinator for the district and Rosedale Clinic nurse, Lee-Ann Jantjies, said several interim proposals had been put forward, including the use of alternative sites such as churches to continue serving patients.
These included a possible mobile clinic at Tambo Village.
Pastor Arnold Arends said a clinic needed to be opened in Lapland.
“Just think of those people who have to come from Moeggesukkel who have to wake up at 5.30am to leave at 3pm,” he said.
Community member Linda Rossouw discouraged the relocation of the clinic.
“It’s not just the Rosedale Clinic staff who fear for their lives.
“But at our school [John Walton Secondary School], we are situated right at the heart of the shootings, where a man was lying dead right in front of the school.
“I appeal to law enforcement to set up a mobile police station, especially in the hotspot area.
“Decentralising would mean you are running away from the problem and not bringing a solution,” she said.
The Herald
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