A Cape Flats clinic has come under siege by gun-toting gangsters who are robbing staff and contractors at gunpoint.
Mayco member for Health and Community Services, Zahid Badroodien, says they are concerned about the safety of staff at Parkwood Clinic after a contractor and intern were robbed in just a week.
He says despite the presence of security, Parkwood skollies have started to prey on healthcare workers who are providing a free service to the community.
Just over a week ago, a contractor arriving to do painting work was robbed by two skollies inside the parking area.
“They took money that he had in his car meant to buy food for the staff,” he says.
CONDEMN: Zahid Badroodien
“The next day an intern arriving at the facility noticed the same two suspects from the day before near the entrance and went to the security as he feared they would rob him.
“Later, the same gangster got him at the entrance and held him at gunpoint.”
Grassy Park police were called to the clinic and arrested the skollie for pointing of a firearm. Station commander, Colonel Dawood Laing, says the gangster was arrested and appeared in Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on 13 January.
“He was remanded in custody and sent to Pollsmoor Prison for his bail information hearing on 20 January,” he says.
Badroodien has condemned the robberies and intimidation of staff: “I strongly condemn these incidents and threats against staff at the clinic who are there to provide a service.
“Today we have spent R450 million on securing facilities which are already like jails but incidents like this are very disheartening as these same alleged gangsters and their
families come to this very clinic for medical treatment.”