I am a professional nurse working at Joe Slovo Clinic in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape. I was transferred to this clinic two years back. Before then I used to work at a clinic in town. Over the past year, things have changed around this area and, as healthcare workers, we fear for our lives. 

It first started with thugs seeking refuge in our clinic (Joe Slovo), which serves a community of  60,000 people, whenever there was a gun shooting in the area.

The thugs would run to the clinic which is the only healthcare facility in this area and force the nurses to take care of their gunshot wounds. 

As a result, every time there was a gun shooting in the area, we would lock all the doors and knock off – no matter what time of the day it was. The patients understood because they also feared for their lives. 

As if the shootings were not enough we also had to deal with the spate of robberies. 

In May this year a group of four criminals stormed our clinic and made off with staff laptops and cellphones. We have had similar robberies early this year. 

Three months later in August, we were attacked by five armed suspects who first robbed the security guard of his two cell phones. 

They came inside and fired a shot before robbing us of our cell phones. I remember one of them aggressively saying I should also give him the government cellphone as well. I was so scared, I thought they were going to hurt us. 

Working here has gotten to a point where it has become a blessing to return home in the afternoon because anything is possible. 

The last robbery which occurred in August  was the final nail in the coffin. We decided to lock the clinic and stay at home because we feared for our lives. 

As much as we want to help the community, continuing with our jobs would be like signing a death warrant because we are not safe.

Our lives are in danger 

We spoke to the district manager about the violence in the area but nothing has been done. By closing the clinic we hope to catch their attention.

I have not been well since the last incident. I am struggling to sleep at night because I keep seeing the face of the thugs. 

How am I expected to help patients when I am constantly in fear of my life? As much as we feel sorry for the patients, there is nothing we can do because we also have families that need us alive. 

I love my job and as a result I would not mind if the provincial health department can transfer me to another clinic. Or police should be stationed outside the clinics that have been targeted by thugs. I don’t know what will be our next move but nothing has been communicated in our Whatsapp group. I guess I will sit and wait. – Frustrated nurse, Gqeberha