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Yesterday, 11 December 2018, Westbury Clinic was left without electricity after the main cable to the facility was tampered with in a suspected criminal act.
The clinic’s Operational Manager said he heard a loud bang in the afternoon and also noticed smoke coming from the same area. Upon investigation an unknown man was seen running out of the building and climbing over the recently erected wall.
As a precaution, the fire department was notified and patients were evacuated. It was a relief to know that there was no visible fire and that the smoke came from the wires that burnt when the cables were cut. The generator which serves as a back-up power supply system could not be switched on as a result of the extent of the damage to the main power cable.
Services at the clinic have since been temporarily interrupted and vaccines were moved to an adjacent clinic for storage in order to maintain the cold chain.
City power is working tirelessly to restore power back to the facility.
Meanwhile, Protea South clinic in Soweto also continues to experience power outages where the nearby community members continue to illegally connect to the clinic power generator.
Health and Social Development MMC, Cllr Mpho Phalatse called on the community to expose those who continue to target clinics and other government facilities across the city.
“It is concerning that our clinics continue to be targeted by criminals. We cannot afford to have our facilities closed due to vandalism. I implore all communities to assist us and work with our area managers to safeguard our facilities, “said Phalatse, adding that clinics offer key services to our most vulnerable citizens and they should be safeguarded at all times by all of us.
For media queries:
Dominic Mahlangu
Strategic Advisor, Office of the MMC – Health and Social Development
Tel: (011) 407 6832
Mobile: 081 230 3299
