Failing to inform the patients about the drill and leading them to believe that there had been a bomb threat, they ordered them to vacate the building.
Not even the Ekurhuleni Metro was informed of this drill as they confirmed the alleged bomb threat to the Advertiser.
Metro spokesman Themba Gadebe confirmed the threat but says the scene was cleared by the SAPS Explosives Disposal Unit after the EMPD K9 Dog Unit members and their dogs found no explosives.
But according to EMPD spokesman Clifford Shongwe, Fikile Sukazi, the sister in charge of the clinic, informed him it was only a drill exercise.
“With the current unstable situation at the universities, no one is safe, therefore, people should be alert at all times,” he says.
He believes drills such as the one at the clinic, are necessary.
At 11.30am the community had access to the clinic again.
When the staff ordered the patients to vacate the building, they were not informed that it was a drill, but were only told there was an alleged bomb threat.
Springs resident Obedience Kumira (30), says they were scared and they wondered why someone would target the clinic.
“I am not sure what the person was trying to achieve,” he says.
EMPD K9 Dog Unit member Juan Strauss and his dog Kai inspected the building for possible explosives, but found nothing.
Read: Bomb scare in CBD
He explained the dog is trained to find clean explosives.
“Kai, a German shepherd, will immediately lie down as an indication that he has found explosives,” says Strauss.
Some of the patients were sitting outside in the shade, waiting patiently to hear what the outcome of the situation would be.
Another Springs resident Zethu Mabuza (23), who has chickenpox, says the situation was a waste of time.
Read: EMPD K9 Dog Unit make valuable discovery
“I came for medicine on Monday and they were short staffed, therefore, I returned today, just to be told about the bomb threat,” she says.
Mabuza cannot understand the reason behind the so-called threat.
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