Electricity crisis sparks attack on Khayelitsha clinic
Angry Khayelitsha residents decided to set alight a Town Two clinic as they wanted to connect electricity from the establishment's transformer. This follows a march to Parliament over the issue earlier this month.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers
Town Two residents in Khayelitsha, who were protesting for electricity, brought their frustration to the community clinic as they burned down a room.
According to ward councillor Thando Pimpi, shack dwellers had illegally connected electricity from a transformer, which later blew up.
“They wanted to go to the clinic where there is another transformer. We managed to speak to them on Wednesday, and we asked them to stop, and we warned them not to seek service delivery in that manner.
“We also set up an appointment with the relevant stakeholders to discuss how we can help the community members.
“I couldn’t sleep on Tuesday night because the people threatened to burn my house down, but they didn’t do anything, and the situation remains tense."
Residents of Marikana informal settlements in Town Two Khayelitsha, set the clinic alight over electricity demands
Image: Siyavuya Khaya
The City's Health Department said: “Information at this stage indicates that a group of protestors set fire to a part of the clinic late on Monday evening. The outside waste room was gutted, but the clinic remains intact.
“The group also damaged the motorised vehicle gate to get onto the property and the Eskom transformer on the premises, leaving the clinic without electricity.
“Protestors burnt tyres outside the premises once more on Tuesday evening. City Health resumed limited services at the clinic (on Thursday). The attack on the clinic must be condemned – there is no justification for destroying community assets in this manner.
Town Two clinic after the fire.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Media
Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said no arrests have been made as they investigate a case of arson.
“The circumstances surrounding this incident now form part of the police investigation.
“It is reported that security officers were threatened by community members at a local medical facility on Monday, at about 9.05pm. The community took action and set the building alight. The suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.
“Makhaza police registered a case of arson for further investigation.”
Police appealed to anyone with information on the incident to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.
Cape Times