The Town Two Clinic in Khayelitsha remains closed following an extortion incident involving security guards, with the City of Cape Town conducting a risk assessment before reopening.
The Town Two Clinic in Khayelitsha, South Africa, will remain closed as the City of Cape Town carries out a risk assessment following a serious extortion incident. Last Monday, two security guards were kidnapped by unknown assailants demanding ransom from their employer, which led to immediate closure of the facility. Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala indicated that there are no new developments in the case and that no arrests have been made.
The local government is responding to the situation by assessing risks before allowing the clinic to reopen. Mayco member for community service and health, Francine Higham, confirmed that the city is taking the matter seriously and plans to implement recommendations based on the findings of the risk assessment. This cautious approach aims to ensure the safety of both staff and patients before resuming services at the clinic.
Residents of Khayelitsha, such as local mother Andiswa, are feeling the impact of the clinic's closure significantly. With the facility being a key resource for medical needs, including contraception, Andiswa and others in the community are faced with the inconvenience of traveling further and incurring extra costs, such as taxi fares, to access healthcare services. The situation highlights the broader issues of safety and healthcare accessibility in vulnerable communities, raising concerns among residents about the implications for their health and well-being.
