Taxi Strike: More than 30 clinics CLOSE
The City of Cape Town issued a statement listing the health facilities that have been closed due the associated violence of the ongoing taxi strike.
In the City of Cape Town, numerous health facilities have shut down due to the persisting taxi strike, violence, and disruptions.
IOL reported that on Monday morning employees were unable to reach their workplaces due to the taxi strike related issues in specific regions.
The ongoing violence and lawlessness associated with the SANTACO strike action is having a severe impact on commuters, as well as City services as some employees cannot get to work, nor attend to service requests in volatile areas.
— City of Cape Town (@CityofCT) August 4, 2023
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Dr Saadiq Kariem, the chief of operations at the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness had this to say.
“We are in regular communication with the Provincial Joint Operations Centre to monitor the safety of both our staff and patients.”
“Unfortunately, we are again forced to operate at a reduced capacity within the Cape Metropole as well as certain rural areas,” said Dr Kariem.
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OVER 30 CLINICS CLOSED DUE TO TAXI STRIKE
These include Bloekombos, Claremont, Crossroads 1, Delft South, Diep River, Dr. Ivan Toms, Eastridge, Factreton, Fish Hoek, Gugulethu, Langa, Lentegeur, and Manenberg.
Facilities in Masincedane, Masiphumelele, Muizenberg, Mzamomhle, Philippi, Phumlani, Ruimte Road, Site B Male Clinic, Site B Youth Clinic, Site C Youth Clinic, Strandfontein, Town 2 CDC, Wallacedene, Weltevreden Valley, Wesbank, and Westlake have also been closed.
The taxi strike and violence related to it have caused environmental offices to close as well.
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The Nyanga, Fezeka and Khayelitsha Environmental Health offices are closed and staff are deployed to work in other areas.
The Scottsdene Matrix site based on the grounds of Scottsdene CHC is closed.
ALSO READ: City of Cape Town pleads: SANTACO, end violence and lawlessness
Councillor Patricia Van der Ross mentioned that they are currently waiting for confirmation regarding the extent of the damage to the Youth Clinic in Site C, Khayelitsha, after reports of vandalism
NO DISCUSSIONS AS LONG AS VIOLENCE CONTINUES
City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas stated that dialogue is impossible during ongoing violence
Facilities in unstable zones will stay shut for staff safety, preventing vandalism, as residents are informed.
“The City is dedicated to ending the SANTACO taxi strike, urging peace and halting public violence,” he said.
ALSO READ: Taxi Strike: Vehicles Up In Flames, facilities remain closed
SOME ELECTRICITY SERVICES DISRUPTED
Electricity services continue to be impacted in areas in the metro south, and south east, including Gugulethu, Mitchells Plain, Mfuleni, and Hout Bay.
Some depots in area north are closed, including in Langa, Joe Slovo, Heideveld, Manenberg, and Hanover Park.
City electricity services continue to be impacted as a result of the taxi unrest, especially in areas in the metro south and south east. Some areas are volatile and 'no-go' while many staff members are also unable to travel.
— City of Cape Town (@CityofCT) August 9, 2023
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