City blocks generator donation to Soweto clinic

The City of Johannesburg has blocked an electricity generator donation by the DA to a clinic in desperate need of power.

I was in Soweto yesterday to donate the generator to Protea South clinic where patients are being turned away due to load-shedding.

The City has failed to provide power to the clinic for over 6 months, forcing residents to illegally connect the clinic to the Eskom power supply.

When power cuts occur the clinic is left entirely in the dark.

Government has ignored residents who have been protesting for 6 months calling for a stable power supply at the clinic.

ANC Mayoral Committee Member for Health Nonceba Molwele informed the clinic yesterday that they may not accept the generator donation because her office has "protocols". I challenge Councillor Molwele to publish these so-called protocols that prevent donations and goodwill to those in need.

The City is blocking this donation for political reasons while the lives of patients in Protea South are being endangered. Why did the City not care about this clinic for 6 months when there was no electricity?

The DA calls on the City to allow this donation to take place within 24 hours due to the urgent need for a generator at the clinic.

I made the donation as a symbol of my commitment to put a generator in every hospital and clinic if elected Gauteng Premier.

It is unacceptable and negligent that both Premier Mokonyane and the City of Joburg has not already put these measures in place for the sake of the lives of public healthcare patients.

Statement issued by Mmusi Maimane, DA Gauteng Premier Candidate, March 10 2014

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