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Mpumalanga Health MEC, Sasekani Manzini, faced strong resistance from dissatisfied residents of Mkhondo Local Municipality as she attempted to address concerns over healthcare services in the area.
Manzini, who also serves as the provincial spokesperson for the ANC, was met with vocal discontent during the “Taking Legislature to the People” programme held at the Mandla Magudulela Stadium in Piet Retief. The three-day event, aimed at showcasing the provincial government’s progress on service delivery, quickly turned tense as the crowd voiced their frustrations.
Unimpressed Crowd Challenges Claims
When Manzini took the stage to highlight her department’s achievements, including claims that all communities had access to 24-hour clinics and ambulances, the audience reacted with immediate skepticism, heckling her statements.
“The department of health operates 24 hours a day. All communities in South Africa have 24-hour clinics, and when they are closed, ambulances are available to transport you,” she said. However, her remarks were met with laughter and jeers from the crowd.
Flustered but attempting to maintain composure, Manzini reassured the audience, saying, “I hear you. Here in Mkhondo, we have two 24-hour clinics.” This, too, was met with disbelief and further heckling.
Promises Fall Flat
Manzini went on to list the local healthcare facilities, which include two 24-hour clinics, three 12-hour clinics, and seven that operate for eight hours daily, along with a single hospital serving Mkhondo. She also cited a 90% availability rate of medication in these facilities, but the crowd remained unconvinced.
Growing visibly frustrated, Manzini invited residents to inspect healthcare facilities with her after the event. She also announced that a new ambulance, donated by a mining company, would soon be delivered to the community.
Despite her efforts to placate the crowd, the mood remained tense, prompting the programme director to step in and request patience from the audience, allowing Manzini to answer questions posed during a previous visit.
The newly appointed CEO of Piet Retief Hospital shared her contact number with the public at Manzini’s instruction, which temporarily calmed the situation.
The programme is set to continue until Thursday afternoon.