DA, IFP call for tighter security after 'execution style’ shooting of man at Clairwood Hospital
The DA and IFP in KZN have requested the Health MEC to provide a detailed plan to improve security and safety in public health care facilities, following an assassination-style fatal shooting at Clairwood Hospital.
It is understood that armed men entered the hospital on Friday night and shot a 47-year-old patient. The man who is a foreign international had been admitted for gunshot wounds from another incident.
IFP's provincial spokesperson on health, Ncamisile Nkwanyana says the party "is deeply concerned with the poor safety and security measures at KZN public hospitals and calls on the KZN MEC of Health, Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu to come up with a well-detailed plan armed with clear time-frame and tangible solutions on how and when she intends to improve safety in provincial hospitals".
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"The IFP is worried at the shocking frequency of such incidences whereby criminals do as they please in government hospitals and this incident is a clear indication that the KZN Department of Health has failed dismally to take the issue of hospital safety seriously".
"Let her go to the SAPS as well, tell them to provide us with security because all the securities at the gate they are not trained. They don't have guns. They are just sit there. If somebody comes in with a gun, they don't do anything. They even run away because they are scared that they are going to be killed at the gate," she said.
DA KZN spokesperson on health, Rishigen Viranna says the ongoing safety issues at the province's health facilities is also a concern for the party.
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"The DA extends its deepest condolences to the patient’s family. The first priority must be their well-being, as well as that of the patients and staff affected and psychological support must be provided to ensure that any long-lasting trauma is relieved."
"This horrific shooting comes after numerous recent violent attacks at other health facilities in the province, including KwaMsane, Nkonjeni, RK Khan and now Clairwood, with the safety of both patients and hospital staff being placed at risk."
"Of particular concern in this latest case is that the gunmen drove onto the Clairwood Hospital property, seemingly without any security checks. This raises serious concerns regarding the training that hospital security guards receive." he said.
