Power outages spark unrest, leaving a vital clinic in Khayelitsha damaged and services disrupted. Image credit: Siyavuya Khaya/Vukani News
(The Post News) – A protest over persistent power outages in Khayelitsha’s Town Two took a destructive turn this week, leaving a local clinic damaged and residents shaken. The City of Cape Town has criticized the incident, which saw a group of residents attempt to set parts of the facility alight.
At the time of publication, the City of Cape Town had not responded to requests for comment on the latest developments.
The unrest stems from ongoing frustration over electricity access. According to media reports, ward councillor Thando Pimpi said informal settlement dwellers had tapped into a transformer illegally, which later malfunctioned. In response, some residents targeted the clinic, reportedly hoping to access another transformer located on the premises.
Despite efforts to engage with the community and arrange discussions with relevant authorities, tensions escalated. On Monday night, protestors allegedly ignited a fire that destroyed the clinic’s external waste room and damaged the entrance gate. The facility was also left without power after the on-site transformer was affected.
On Tuesday evening, tyres were burning outside the facility once again. Although limited services resumed on Thursday, the atmosphere remains uneasy. No arrests have been made, though several individuals have been identified.
Impact on the Clinic and Community Healthcare
The destruction of the clinic not only damages vital infrastructure but also threatens access to essential healthcare for many residents. If it were forced to close due to the extent of the damage, people would have to travel much farther to receive medical attention a challenge for many families who cannot afford transportation costs.
This disruption could particularly harm vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, and those with chronic illnesses, increasing their risk and straining already limited resources in nearby facilities.
Police have opened a case of arson and are urging anyone with information to come forward. The city continues to stress that damaging public infrastructure undermines service delivery and puts essential resources, including the clinic, at risk.
Please share your thoughts contact Thembeka via email: Journalist-thembeka@thepostnews.net
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