Community outraged as Town Two Clinic closes due to extortion

Patients from Town Two are being forced to travel long distances to access treatment, especially those visiting a clinic for the first time, after their local facility was reportedly shut down, allegedly by extortionists.

It is alleged that the group targeted security staff at the clinic, holding them to ransom and demanding payment or that they vacate the premises on the night of Saturday, January 31.

Following the incident, the clinic was closed, leaving residents without a nearby healthcare service.

The closure has placed a heavy burden on the community, with patients now having to spend additional money on transport to seek care at alternative facilities such as Matthew Goniwe Clinic, Luvuyo Clinic, and Mayenzeke Clinic.

In a statement, the City confirmed that Town Two Clinic had been closed as a precaution while it addressed an issue involving an external service provider.

However, the closure has sparked outrage among community members, who say they feel let down by what they describe as “unruly thugs.”

Residents who gathered outside the clinic on Monday, February 9, speaking on condition of anonymity, said criminality in Khayelitsha is spiralling out of control.

One resident, who had been unaware of the closure, called on the community to stand up against criminal elements. “We are giving in to these criminals. We need to stand up and fight. I was not aware that we no longer have a clinic. I am not okay and came here hoping to be assisted, only to hear about the closure. This cannot be right,” he said.

Another resident stated that Khayelitsha as a whole is in trouble due to the high crime rate, adding that development in the area continues to suffer. “We can go around blaming each other, but we all know the truth, and we are part of it. Some of these thugs are our own children. Why don’t we speak sense to them? The saddest part is that they are destroying their own development. We have seen projects being stopped. What have we done as residents? Nothing,” she said.

The City’s Health Service Department has advised residents to visit their nearest facility for services in the interim and said it would communicate once the clinic is ready to reopen. In the meantime, the City has set up a mobile clinic at the Metro Police Department offices in Mandela Park, Khayelitsha.

Ward 93 councillor Thando Pimpi stated that the situation remains unchanged and that discussions with the City are ongoing. He has also condemned the act of criminality and hoped that soon the clinic will reopen.

Khayelitsha Health Forum chairperson Mzanywa Ndibongo described the incident as detrimental to the community of Town Two, saying it painted them in a negative light.

Mr Ndibongo expressed concern for the residents, saying, “It is sad that sick people, including the elderly, must walk long distances to collect their medication, especially now that it is raining. We are preparing to bring all the stakeholders together to discuss ways and means to reopen the clinic. We must ensure that the staff is safe and not scared.”

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