The Hanover Park Clinic is expected to remain shut for the duration of the coming festive season, a concerning development for residents of the area. Hanover Park has been subjected to on-going gang-related violence and while the situation has calmed over the past week, any escalation in shootings could see the need for the clinic amplify.

Mayco member for health, Councillor Siyabulela Mamkeli acknowledged the delay in the clinic’s reopening was a worrying situation, as the service was very much needed by the community.

The clinic has been temporarily shut due to concerns on the gang-violence that has ravaged the area.

“The situation we are facing is that for the very first time our staff working at Hanover Park Clinic have faced close shaves with gun shootings. This is something that has never happened before, and some have been working there for over 20 years,” he explained.

Mamkeli noted they would continue to keep the doors of the clinic closed until the area stabilised, and the safety of all employees could be assured.

In order to cater to the needs of residents who have been affected, the department has sought to strengthen capacity at the nearby Newfields Estate Clinic.

“That is where we are offering services to the community in the interim,” he stated, adding that due to monetary constraints within the department, they were not in a position to offer any form of transport to the interim facility. VOC