Patients at Mamelodi clinics have threatened not to vote in the forthcoming general elections unless they received the services they deserved.
The patients raised their concerns during the oversight inspection of the pharmacy at Phahameng clinic in Mamelodi East by the newly elected mayor of Tshwane Stevens Mokgalapa.
The patients complained that their grievances were never addressed and threatened to withhold their votes in the May poll.
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The new first citizen of the city conducted an oversight visit as part of his plan to build on the successes of his predecessor Solly Msimanga “and accelerate the delivery of change”.
Tshwane mayor Stevens Mokgalapa said some of the issues the clinic faced on a daily basis were a lack of capacity and shortage of staff members.
However, the project manager of the clinic, Thomson Nebotalo of Nevhutalu consulting engineers, assured the mayor that by the beginning of March the new facility would be up and running.
Mokgalapa was joined by ward 15 councillor Joel Masilela for a tour around the new pharmacy at the clinic.
The mayor said the upgrade of the new facility would assist with capacity and also said that the city was in the process of recruiting new nurses.
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A patient who wished not to be named complained to Mokgalapa that patients queued from early in the morning for service.
“In winter we are freezing and when it rains we get drenched. We need a shelter.”
Mokgalapa said the clinic was currently operating with nine nurses but was small.
“The clinic is trying by all means to assist the residents of Mamelodi.”
However, he said, the Tshwane metro was in the process of recruiting new nurses.
Councillor Masilela said the clinic had five small wards.
“The population is a challenge. The city is in the process of building a new clinic in Lusaka but the demand will forever be there.”
Masilela said the clinics in Nellmapius and Mamelodi West were also recently upgraded.
Facility manager at Phahameng clinic Sister Mama Seshigwana said she was happy that the mayor came to visit, adding she hoped service would improve.
Mogalapa also visited the Pretoria CBD where he interacted with informal traders before proceeding to Marabastad.
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