Picture: Patients denied access to Cokonyane clinic
By OBAKENG MAJE
16 September 2025- Patients were significantly affected by community protest at a clinic in Cokonyane village, near Taung on Monday. This comes after some community members blocked and denied those who came for medical attention access to healthcare services.
The disruption of essential treatments such as medication collection was experienced as nurses were also removed from the facility.
One of the community members, Charlie Sejamoholo said they embarked on protest because they have written numerous letters to the North West Department of Health raising their unsatisfactory remarks regarding the delays on the park home construction project , but they were ignored. Sejamoholo alleged that the contractor missed a deadline to complete a park home and there is no consequence management implemented by the department.
“We are not against the construction of the park home, but we want the project to be completed timeously. So, the contractor comes and goes as he pleases. So, we are sick and tired of his actions.
“We suspect that the contractor has bribed some of the departmental officials hence they cannot remove him and appoint a capable person for the project,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari spokesperson, Tshegofatso Mothibedi said: “The department is aware of the matter and a site meeting has been arranged for Tuesday to address the community queries. The park home clinic was supposed to have been completed in April 2025, but the project has incurred delays due additional works which include among others to demolish the old clinic built with asbestos material and that the contractor was experiencing financial challenges.
“The expected completion date is 15 December 2025. The original contract amount is R 6 389 560.23 (R6m) VAT Incl. and the department has approved the Variation Order No.01 to the total amount of R 478 125.00 VAT Incl. for the removal and disposal of Asbestos containing material.”
Mothibedi further said the department is aware of concerns raised by the community members, who demanded to be addressed by management and threatened to close the clinic hence a site meeting has been arranged for Tuesday. He added that they will address the community queries today.
“Action has already been taken. The contractor was previously put on terms (default notice was sent to the contractor on 24 April 2025 by the department hence the contractor has approached the department to consent a Deed of Cession agreement between the main-contractor and its sub-contractor as a relief of the main-contractor’s cash-flow challenges.
“The department has approved the Deed of Cession agreement on 10 September 2025. This decision is aimed at ensuring that the project proceeds smoothly and meets the expected quality standards and timelines. The department is committed to closely monitor the contractor’s performance in order to reach completion of the project,” said Mothibedi.
He said currently, health services are rendered through a temporary structure/park home installed in the same site of the Cokonyane clinic.
The Guardian 