GOOD press statement by Felicity Klazen,
GOOD: Councillor and Deputy Mayor of Witzenberg Municipality.
23 March 2022
Public resources should be for public good, but that’s not the case with WC MEC for Health, Nomafrench Mbombo, who has arisen from her slumber to address the Ceres health crisis, on the eve of a by-election.
Ceres has, for an extended period of time, had challenges with its health district where a shortage of medication, queues often stretching over periods of days and security concerns, placed patients at immediate risk. In the latter part of 2021, local ward councillor, Karriem Adams, responded to official complaints and attempted to address these grievances with the management of Ceres clinic, but this was met with a “cold shoulder” from authorities.
The councillor escalated these concerns to the provincial MEC for Health but was instructed to take it up with local officials.
Interesting to note that on the eve of a by-election in Witzenberg Municipality, the MEC has conveniently woken up to address the severe and degenerating health concerns rampant at Ceres hospital and clinics. The MEC addressed a crowd that is fed-up with the treatment they are receiving from officials and politicians alike concerning their health related services that has severe shortages of beds and overworked staff.
The Women’s Coalition of Witzenberg rose to the occasion and demanded accountability from non-performing, salary earning government officials. This Women’s Coalition has been agitating for better primary healthcare for years and GOOD will continue to work with them in interests of ensuring better services for the people of Witzenberg.
The people of Ceres have, for the past 10 years, reported these issues to local and provincial authorities, but to no end. It seems when voters are robbed of basic services, the DA-led government responds, but when citizens are in need of life saving medical intervention, the government of integrity is nowhere to be found.
Media enquiries:
Felicity Klazen, GOOD: Councillor & Deputy Mayor of Witzenberg Municipality
Cell: 063 646 2694
Email: klazenfelicity@gmail.com
Samkelo Mgobozi, GOOD: Media Manager
Cell: 0792315977 (whatsapp)/0829684021 (calls)
Email: samm@forgood.org.za