Unkempt gardens at Brackenhurst Clinic pose a health risk to patients and staff

by Cllr. Malcolm Maifala — DA Councillor for Ward 38 in Ekurhuleni

Date: 17 May 2021

Release: Immediate

Type: Media statement

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni is saddened by the ANC-led City’s lack of funds to perform simple grass cutting, and picking up litter at the Brackenhurst Clinic, which is having an adverse effect on the health of residents who visit the Clinic.

Following months of requests from the DA, as well as the Clinic staff, that the grass be cut, the ANC and its coalition partners* in the City have responded in the familiar way by saying there are simply no funds to maintain the Clinic’s gardens or to pick up the litter on the grounds. The situation has got to a point where rodents roam the grounds, as well as there being a number of beehives, which all pose a health risk to patients and staff alike.

The Clinic has been earmarked by National Government as a Covid-19 vaccination site during Phase 2 of the rollout, meaning that it is of critical importance that the facility be kept to a reasonable standard.

The mismanagement of the Metro’s funds under the current administration is nothing short of appalling, as many of the City’s facilities have been completely neglected, and the gardens outside the Brackenhurst Clinic are no exception.

The DA has highlighted the issue of the grass not being cut at the clinic in the past (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdE2k7cW9PY) and are of the opinion that the Clinic’s grounds should never be left in such a state of disrepair, especially at a health care facility.

The DA thereby calls upon the ANC-led coalition* government to ensure there are always funds available to maintain the Brackenhurst Clinic regularly and to cut the grass and pick up the litter urgently, especially now that the country has entered into the critical Phase 2 of the vaccination rollout.

It is time the residents of Brackenhurst and Brackendowns put their trust in the DA, which is committed to bringing Real Hope and Real Change in their area.

#TimeForChange

*Coalition Partners: African Independent Congress (AIC), Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), Patriotic Alliance (PA) and Independent Ratepayers Association of South Africa (IRASA)

Cllr. Malcolm Maifala

DA Councillor in Ward 38 Ekurhuleni