Tragic death of security guard highlights safety concerns at KwaZulu-Natal clinic

The KwaZulu-Natal health community is reeling following the tragic death of a security guard just days after he was shot during a violent robbery at a Caluza Clinic in Pietermaritzburg.

The 43-year-old succumbed to his injuries days after the incident that occurred on November 29.

Preliminary reports revealed that two armed suspects stormed the clinic and opened fire before fleeing with stolen cellphones. The security guard, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds, was left in a critical condition and underwent emergency surgical care. 

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health Head of Department (HOD) Penny Msimango expressed shock and offer support after medic injured in violent incident at rural clinic succumbs to wounds seven days later.

"This was a very serious situation that also caused the existing staff to no longer feel comfortable working at night,” she said. 

Msimango said hospital management in Harry Gwala, which oversees the clinic, and the head office, led by Deputy Director-General Dr Teboho Moji, conducted a visit to extend condolences to the staff and the bereaved family following the incident.

She also met with staff and management at the clinic, pledging support and reviewing safety measures after recent violent incident.

“We had a very good meeting because we met there with the Harry Gwala management and the district, the chairperson of the clinic advisory committee, and other staff members. We heard that all safety measures will be strengthened in different ways over there.

“However, the most important point discussed was that crime is a social issue. Even if we put in and reinforce everything, but if the crime continues because that area of Caluza is said to be a high crime zone, no matter what we do, reinforcing, reinforcing, reinforcing inside the clinic, if the crime continues outside, nothing will continue,” Msimango said.  

Msimango reported that a meeting of stakeholders, including the police, the community policing forum (CPF), and the councillors served by the clinic, has been agreed upon for the first week of January. The purpose of this meeting is to develop an implementable plan, in collaboration with the community, police, and CPF, to prevent a recurrence of such incidents. 

“It seems that within the past few days, a nurse argued with someone else, who then wanted to assault the nurse, which happened last week,” Msimango said. 

She acknowledged staff concerns, vowing to improve safety measures at the clinic, including adjusting working hours to alleviate night-time fears.

“Which is why we need to hurry to implement these plans because that clinic is incredibly important. That area has many people, many who give birth, many who get injured. Closing for 24 hours for a long time will not help the community. We need to hurry. We agreed on that and other things that we, as the Department of Health, need to do to ensure safety at that clinic,” she said. 

Following the incident, KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane described it as “senseless, heartless, and a direct attack on the right of communities to access healthcare in a safe environment”.

“This kind of brutality has no place in our society. An attack on health workers and security personnel is an attack on the entire health system, and on the community itself,” Simelane said.

“We call on law enforcement agencies to act swiftly so that those responsible are found and brought to justice.” 

Simelane confirmed that trauma counselling would be provided to staff members, expressing deep concern for the emotional toll experienced by those who witnessed the incident.

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za