The Ekurhuleni Metroโs primary healthcare services are collapsing.
This is clearly evident from the first quarterly report of the Department of Health and Social Development.
According to the report, clinics have to operate with dilapidated infrastructure, a serious staff shortage and a lack of essential medical equipment, which means the Metroโs 77 clinics can no longer provide basic healthcare to residents.
The most disturbing finding is the Gauteng province’s confirmation that there is no moratorium on filling vacancies in the healthcare sector.
This contradicts the Metroโs claim that provincial restrictions are preventing appointments. Clearly, the Metroโs administration has misled the Council and the public in order to shift the blame onto the province for a crisis that Ekurhuleni itself created through poor budgetary and priority decisions.
The truth is that Ekurhuleni is not prevented from appointing staff โ it simply chooses not to.
It is plain for all to see: The executive refuses to prioritise clinics while residents suffer.
Although the provincial mandate may be underfunded, nothing stops the Metro from allocating funds from its own budget to appoint essential staff, replace equipment or perform urgent maintenance.
The Metroโs refusal to do so reflects a deliberate policy choice that endangers vulnerable residents.
The collapse of healthcare and social development is not due to a bureaucratic stumbling block, but systemic governance failure.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) demanded the following in the council meeting:
โข A dedicated municipal funding stream to immediately fill all critical posts at clinics.
โข Emergency intervention to ensure equipment procurement and maintenance of all 77 clinics.
โข A comprehensive turnaround strategy for the Department with measurable performance indicators.
โข A collaborative management plan between the Metro and the province that clearly defines responsibilities and prevents further blame-shifting.
โข Accountability for officials and political office-bearers who allowed this crisis to escalate.
Ekurhuleni residents are not interested in excuses. They want to know whether they can see a nurse, get their medication and receive dignified medical care.
At this stage, access to healthcare is collapsing and the current administration has to shoulder the blame. This is not a financial problem โ it is a political choice.
The Freedom Front Plus remains committed to fighting for transparency, accountability and a healthcare system that protects vulnerable residents โ not one that is paralysed by negligence, maladministration and misleading public narratives.
