As hospitals in violence-hit areas struggle with supplies and staffing, Police Minister Cele revealed that attacks on hospitals had been averted.
Speaking to eNCA, Minister Cele revealed that crime prevention intelligence had prevented attacks on healthcare infrastructure. “In KZN, yesterday… they were planning to burn the hospitals… literally planning to burn the hospitals with patients inside. So, that was averted,” he said.
Minister Cele made the comments while he was visiting an area hit by violence in Mamelodi, Tshwane.
During a briefing by the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster, State Security Minister Ayanda Dlodlo said that state security intelligence had prevented further destruction of buildings and infrastructure. This information was shared with the police. “We tried our best wherever we could and we affected a lot more than what you see on national television,” she said.
Netcare has had to scramble to secure medical supplies for its hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal. Netcare CEO Dr Richard Friedland said that they had flown in trauma nurses and medical supplies following their supplier’s inability to provide them as a result of the unrest. Dr Friedland said Netcare hospitals remained open despite staffing challenges.
“Like many other businesses, we have experienced some challenges due to staff shortages as a result of staff not being able to reach their place of work, however Netcare’s hospitals remain open throughout the country. We have treated a number of people for protest-related injuries, placing further pressure on an already constrained healthcare system, including emergency medical services,” he said.
The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa) has also reported that its members are facing challenges getting to and from work because of the violence.
