Picture: (Magogong clinic that operates 12-hours after thugs attacked staff and patients)
BY OBAKENG MAJE
The community of Magogong village, in Taung is crestfallen after their beloved local clinic turned into a “war zone’ by thugs in their area. According to residents in the area, the Magogong clinic operates only twelve-hours a day and that cost them.
Magogong community leader, Tebogo Morwe claims that the reduced time of the clinic from 24-hours to 12-hours was forced by escalating crime in the area.
“We were led down by Taung Police Station because we tried to engage with them to fight crime in the area, but nothing came forth. We need a satellite police station in the area because the lives of the residents are at risk now,” Morwe said.
He said that thugs once pounced and attacked each other.
According to North West Department of Health, they took that decision based on safety of the staff.
The department’ spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said the gangsters endangered the lives of the staff and they tried to engage different stakeholders, but they failed to reach any agreement.
“Magogong clinic indeed operates 12 hours and seven days a week. This is due to the fact that the gangsters were attacking each other at the clinic and they were endangering staff and other patients. The meeting was conveyed between the police, community and the feuding groups but all efforts failed” Lekgethwane said.
He said when they tried to open the case with the police and community guarding the clinic, that did not help.
“Our guards are unable to deal with this problem. We only need assurance of safety and we will adjust our service at the clinic. Staff members are also not willing to work there due to threats and intimidation” Lekgethwane said.
-TDN
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