Western Cape PLHIV Sector condemn violence that is leading to closure of clinics

The Western Cape People living with HIV (PLHIV) sector strongly condemns the spate of public violence that is continuing to engulf the communities of Nyanga, Philippi, and Samora Machel areas in the Western Cape. 

The subsequent closure of healthcare facilities in the Nyanga area in particular have had an adverse effect on public healthcare users, including those who are on chronic medication. This ongoing taxi violence is threatening human rights, as hundreds of patients are denied access to basic healthcare at their local facilities. In some instances public healthcare users do not have the resources or feel safe enough to access healthcare at other facilities. As a consequence, mostly elderly people, babies, and other vulnerable and/or marginalised people are denied access to healthcare, and this cannot just be allowed. 

The Western Cape PLHIV sector is calling on the Western Cape government and other duty bearers to intervene and address the unrest and violence between taxi drivers. We also call for the urgent re-opening of Crossroads 1, Crossroads 2, Inzame Zabantu CDC, Weltevreden Valley, Mzamomhle, Phumlani, and Nyanga CDC. The burning and damaging of public transport, including a MyCiti Dial-a-Ride vehicle, which transports people with disabilities to and from work is a serious concern for us. People living with HIV, like the majority of the community, rely on public transport to travel to work and to also access healthcare services. The torching of buses has therefore threatened our lives and livelihoods. 

This is putting a strain on an already overstretched and collapsing health system in the Western Cape. This also follows the announcement earlier this year that nine community clinics would be integrated in Cape Town’s Northern Tygerberg, Klipfontein, and Khayelitsha areas.  Our healthcare users cannot afford to have other clinics burnt and closed. This is a risk to our health and lives. 

The Western Cape already suffers a serious backlog in healthcare access due to severe crime and the closure of clinics. The Western Cape PLHIV sector has heard reports in Mzamomhle, of people who couldn’t honour their appointments, due to the violence.

We call on the provincial department of health, the national department of health, and all relevant duty bearers to handle this matter with the urgency it deserves and create and communicate alternative arrangements that are safe, ensure continuity in access to quality healthcare for all in the province. 

For media engagement contact: 

Xabisa Qwabe (TAC Communications Officer) – 076 850 6736 | xabisa.qwabe@mail.tac.org.za

Note: TAC is a member of the PLHIV Sector in the Western Cape