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The Citizen
14 hours ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Security crisis at hospitals and clinics sparks fear and protest
A surge in armed attacks and violent crimes at rural hospitals has left healthcare workers fearing for their lives. Hospitals and clinics – especially those in rural areas or with insufficient security – are becoming the targets of ruthless robbers, with medical staff and patients being the victims. Recent incidents include an attack by armed criminals on medical practitioners at the Barberton District Hospital in Mpumalanga; a robbery at gunpoint of security guards at Livingstone Hospital in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape; and ongoing attacks – including rape – on nurses at isolated health facilities in Limpopo. Barberton Hospital protest This week, hospital employees at Barberton Hospital were picketing outside the gate demanding the government must ensure their safety before they could resume work. A group of armed people reportedly entered the facility a few days ago and 'threatened nurses and doctors'. Mpumalanga department of community safety, security and liaison Moeti Mmusi confirmed the incident and said the department has taken steps to ensure the safety of the workers. 'Not a work boycott' SA Medical Association Trade Union's Mpumalanga representative, Mandla Matshabe, confirmed their members were scared to enter the facility due to safety concerns. ALSO READ: Two nurses kidnapped for 4 hours and raped in Limpopo clinic attack The contract of the current security company lapsed and as the new firm was preparing to move in, the criminals hit the hospital and attacked the staff and patients, Matshabe said. 'This is not a work boycott. There is a security threat due to the incident that took place in the early hours of 1 June. 'Workers are willing to perform their duties. The security threat is posed by the handover to a new security company – and I believe there is a security threat throughout the province due to this transition,' said Matshabe. 'In accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, workers asked the employer to ensure their safety at the hospital.' Healthcare workers' continuous attack Cyril Mdluli, a provincial secretary of the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa, said: 'We note the continuous attack on health care workers by the community and criminals and call for a strong security system in all health facilities. 'Currently, our securities are not armed. We need to review that decision. Mpumalanga is the only province where security matters are handled at the department of safety and security. ALSO READ: Chuene Clinic attack: More charges expected against Limpopo suspect as case postponed 'We therefore call for security to be managed by the department of health. Insourcing will increase the security in facilities.' Mdluli said for security needs to be met, facilities must have proper fencing and lighting. Department of health spokesperson Dumisani Malamule declined to comment. Rural clinics security concerns Last month, Zoutnet news reported attacks on nurses working in rural hospitals across Vhembe. 'Nurses are facing a lot of challenges, especially those working in rural clinics and hospitals, where there is no security,' said Fhumulani Mulaudzi from the University of Pretoria. Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa president Simon Hlungwani earlier highlighted a nurse who was raped while on duty in Limpopo and another who was shot dead in Tembisa Hospital. 'We need to come up with clear programmes that we are going to drive to wage the struggle and improve the service,' Hlungwani said. As one nurse said: 'It pains us to see we are lacking in the very service we are supposed to render to our communities.' NOW READ: Gauteng health warns of 'silent killer'
IOL News
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Four people killed in R38 road crash; bakkie occupants missing
Authorities said a sedan crashed with a bakkie, and the sedan was swung across the road where it further collided with a truck. Image: Supplied Four people lost their lives on Tuesday evening when a light delivery vehicle and a sedan collided head-on, on the R38 Road between Kaapmuide and Louws Creek in Mpumalanga. The sedan, after colliding with the bakkie, was swung across the road and subsequently collided with a truck. The Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison said four victims died at the scene and they include the driver of the sedan, and three passengers. 'The occupants of the bakkie were reportedly not found at the scene,' said Moeti Mmusi, spokesperson for the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison. 'The cause of the crash is not clear at the moment but reckless and negligent driving cannot be ruled out at this stage. The investigation into the crash is already underway.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Authorities said a sedan crashed with a bakkie, and the sedan was swung across the road where it further collided with a truck. Image: Supplied Meanwhile, Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie has called on motorists to drive with caution, especially in the dark, when visibility is reduced. "While the government at all levels is putting programmes in place to make roads safer, it is the responsibility of every driver to obey the rules and use the road cautiously. Most of the crashes can be avoided if those who drive are highly alert at all times," Macie said. The MEC is sending condolences to the bereaved families.
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- The Citizen
One killed in R40 accident near Barberton Game Reserve
A driver died in an accident on the R40 near the Barberton Game Reserve on Monday, May accident involved a Volkswagen Polo and a stationary truck. The driver of the Polo died while being treated on the scene by Emer-G-Med paramedics. Martin Jeffrey of Emer-G-Med said they received a call about the accident at around 16:20. Upon their arrival, they found both drivers still entrapped in the wreckage. 'They were severely injured and we removed them while treating them. Before we could transport him to the hospital a driver died. We were able to treat the truck driver before we transported him to Nelspruit Mediclinic for further medical treatment,' he said. The Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security, and Liaison's spokesperson, Moeti Mmusi, confirmed that the cause of the accident is unknown, pending investigation. He added a call on motorists to always drive with caution and obey the rules of the road. ALSO READ: Two killed in accident on R40 between Hazyview and Bushbuckridge 'Condolences to the family of the deceased and wishes for a speedy recovery to the driver of the truck who was rushed to the hospital,' he said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
29-04-2025
- The Citizen
Four killed in R23 accident in Balfour
A devastating head-on collision claimed four lives on the R23 between Balfour and Greylingstad on Monday night, April 28. The accident involved two sedans and a double cab Ford Ranger. The sedan that collided with the bakkie was towing the other sedan. The spokesperson of the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Moeti Mmusi, said the sedan that was being towed was not damaged and its driver was unharmed. Four men, two drivers and two passengers, died while another passenger in the bakkie was slightly injured. 'He received medical treatment at Suikerbosrand Life Care Hospital in Heidelberg before being discharged,' Mmusi said. ALSO READ: UPDATE: Truck driver's leg nearly amputated in 8-hour rescue mission on N4 in Mbombela He added that the circumstances surrounding the crash are still unclear, but an investigation to determine the cause is in progress. The MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Jackie Macie, extended his condolences to the bereaved families. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
29-04-2025
- IOL News
PICS: Four men killed in Mpumalanga head-on collision
Four men were killed in a head-on collision between a sedan and a Ford Ranger bakkie on the R23 road between Balfour and Greylingstad in Mpumalanga on Monday night. The Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison confirmed that among the dead are the drivers of both vehicles and two passengers. One passenger from the bakkie sustained minor injuries and was treated at Suikerbosrand Life Care Hospital in Heidelberg. 'He has since been discharged,' said departmental spokesperson Moeti Mmusi.
