Newtown residents protested on Monday morning, demanding that the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health re-open the local clinic, which has been closed since the floods in April 2022. Photo: Tsoanelo Sefoloko
Tsoanelo Sefoloko reports in GroundUp that protesters in Newtown, Durban blocked roads with burning tires and rubble demanding the immediate reopening of the local clinic.
- IN SUMMARY: The clinic in Newtown A is located 23 km from Durban’s city centre, and has been closed since the April 2022 floods.
- Nearby clinics are 4 and 6 km away in Ntuzuma and Newtown C, respectively.
- Community leader Londiwe Mnguni said the clinic structure appears undamaged, causing confusion over the prolonged closure.
- Mnguni explained the protest was necessary as local ward councillors were not listening to residents’ concerns.
- Former clinic cleaner Ntombenhle Mkhize mentioned that permanent staff were reassigned to other clinics, but contract workers like her were forgotten.
- Ward 55 councillor Siyabonga Mfeka said residents had agreed to wait two weeks for a response from health officials, expressing surprise at the premature protest.
- KZN Department of Health spokesperson Ntokozo Maphisa explained that the 2022 storms had badly damaged the clinic and the initial contractor withdrew before starting repairs. Maphisa assured that a new contractor would be appointed soon and urged the community to be patient.
