(Picture Credit: MEC Sasekani Manzini official Facebook page)
By Duncan Mnisi
Mpumalanga – The Mpumalanga Department of Health has announced the temporary suspension of nightshift duties at Paulina Morapeli Community Health Centre (CHC) in Embalenhle, Govan Mbeki Local Municipality.
This decision was made by the MEC for Health, Ms. Sasekani Manzini, following a disturbing incident that occurred on Monday, August 4, 2025.
The facility was recently targeted by a group of five armed criminals who falsely presented themselves as bringing an injured patient to the clinic.
However, their true intention was to attack staff members. Fortunately, the staff managed to alert authorities, and police swiftly responded, leading to the arrest of one suspect. A criminal case has since been formally opened with the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The community remains shaken by the attack, with many residents expressing concern over their own safety and that of healthcare workers.
A local resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, voiced fears shared by many:
“What worse could’ve happened if they had attacked in a public space? We feel unsafe everywhere now. The government must do more to ensure the security of both staff and patients.”
MEC Sasekani Manzini visited the clinic to show her support and to address the community’s concerns. She emphasized the importance of community involvement in ensuring safety and urged residents to cooperate with police efforts to apprehend all suspects involved.
“While we let the law take its course, I have decided to temporarily suspend nightshift operations at Paulina Morapeli CHC to give our staff time to recover from this traumatic event,” MEC Manzini announced.
“Additionally, the department will provide psychosocial support to all affected employees to help them cope with this ordeal.”
Effective immediately from August 4, 2025, the clinic will operate only during daytime hours, from 07:00 in the morning until 19:00 in the evening, until further notice.
The department has assured the public that plans are underway to enhance security measures, prevent such incidents from recurring, and restore full services as soon as possible.
This unsettling event underscores the urgent need for improved safety protocols in healthcare settings—especially in areas vulnerable to criminal activity.
Both the community and authorities remain hopeful that swift justice will be served and that the clinic will safely resume full operations in due course.
