âThe patients scatteredâ: how gun crime cuts off healthcare for South Africaâs poorest | TheBriefWire
âThe patients scatteredâ: how gun crime cuts off healthcare for South Africaâs poorest
Published 10 June 2026 ¡ health
Cities see surge in attacks and extortion demands at clinics in townships, leaving patients and staff vulnerable The three gunmen showed up just 10 minutes
Cities see surge in attacks and extortion demands at clinics in townships, leaving patients and staff vulnerable The three gunmen showed up just 10 minutes after the security guards had arrived for the early morning shift.
Tshiamo Nere* admits he was âfrozenâ with shock and could only stare as the men aimed their weapons at him and two colleagues at Khayelitshaâs Town Two clinic in Cape Town, as screaming nurses and patients fled.
They had a message, the men told the unarmed guards. âThey demanded a protection fee from the security company that employs us to guard the clinic,â Nere says.
âThe patients, frightened, scattered; and nurses ran for their lives.â Continue reading...
Published: June 10, 2026 ⢠9:30 AM IST ¡ Updated: June 10, 2026 ⢠10:40 AM ISTBy TheBriefWire Editorial Team
Key points
Cities see surge in attacks and extortion demands at clinics in townships, leaving patients and staff vulnerable The three gunmen showed up just 10 minutes after the security guards had arrived for the early morning shift.
Tshiamo Nere* admits he was âfrozenâ with shock and could only stare as the men aimed their weapons at him and two colleagues at Khayelitshaâs Town Two clinic in Cape Town, as screaming nurses and patients fled.
They had a message, the men told the unarmed guards.
âThey demanded a protection fee from the security company that employs us to guard the clinic,â Nere says.