The rising levels of crime at healthcare clinics in the Tshwane Metro have a detrimental impact on service delivery to residents.
From the annual report on the 2023/24 financial year it can be gleaned that several clinics were targeted by criminals and that electronic equipment, such as computers, tablets, AED defibrillators, copper pipes from aircons and aircon units, was mostly stolen.
This puts needless pressure on staff members who rely on the electronic equipment to do their jobs.
Insurance claims for the financial year in question amounted to R327 011,92. It is also a cumbersome process to replace the equipment.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) attributes the rising crime levels to poor, or sometimes absent, security measures.
Private security services for the financial year amounted to R31 152 572,64 but it was obviously ineffective and a waste of money.
In one incident, three aircon units were stolen from the clinic in the IEC Building in Bronkhorstspruit on 7, 12, and 26 July 2023.
Why the security measures were not intensified after the first burglary is a mystery.
In another incident, a fence to the value of R91 000 was stolen from the Gazankulu Clinic while security guards were supposedly monitoring it 24/7.
The Freedom Front Plus is of the opinion that electronic security measures, such as cameras and alarms, should be implemented in addition to the armed guards and an effective response unit.
Appointing more security guards from private companies will increase the financial burden, but not necessarily curb crime. The fact that crime keeps increasing on their watch also raises questions.
