Critically ill patients had to be airlifted yesterday as protesters barricaded the access road to Madwaleni hospital with rocks and burning tyres.
The protests, which started on Monday and continued yesterday, have closed the hospital.
Police used rubber bullets to disperse about 700 protesters from at least four surrounding villages, including children as young as 10.
Madwaleni, about 80km from Mthatha, is the second hospital to feel the impact of service delivery protests this month. Siphethu hospital in Ntabankulu was shut for two days last week when residents protested over the lack of electricity supply.
They caused damage to an electricity pole supplying the hospital and a 20-year-old new mother was electrocuted when she stepped on live wires. The baby was not harmed and the young mother is said to be recovering well.
Eastern Cape health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo condemned the targeting of hospitals over issues that had “nothing to do” with the department.
He confirmed that an EMS helicopter was used to airlift critical patients from Madwaleni to the Nelson Mandela Central Hospital in Mthatha, 85km away.
TB patient Kunukunu Siwabayi said she was concerned about the situation.
“We can’t take medication without eating, so doctors cooked for us.
“We are sick here and we cannot run away. We have nothing to do with electricity. We don’t know why they are coming here,” she said.
Shops in the area were also closed yesterday and a nearby construction company building reservoirs suspended work for two days due to the strike.
Protest leader Isaac Ngqongwa said they were shocked when the electrification project “skipped” them last year. “We have been waiting and waiting since 2013 when they surveyed our area for installation of electricity.
“Why are we being skipped when we are situated in the middle of the areas getting electricity?”
Ngqongwa said they still had no running water, lights or toilets.
“We have not tasted this freedom, not benefited since the ANC came into power,” he said.
Protester KwaKhanya Cimani said they had the third largest number of voters in the Mbhashe municipality – but had nothing to show for it.
“Nurses and teachers are refusing to come and work in our area because of the terrible living and working conditions caused by lack of electricity.
“Our mothers are being raped at night because it’s dark,” she said.
Ward 26 committee member Bokomfu Nompawu said only six villages out of 12 had power. Ward 28 councillor Bayanda Maqelana, who was in hiding two kilometres from the scene of the protest, said he feared for his life.
“They are very angry. I am fearing for my life and I can’t go there alone.
“They have been waiting for a very long time. I am their servant and they will think I am not doing my job,” said Maqelana.
He said the Mbhashe mayor had addressed the protesters on Tuesday, promising to return today with representatives from Eskom.
By late yesterday, the road had been reopened and two ambulances were seen racing towards the hospital.
Mqanduli police spokesman Major Zamukulungisa Jozana confirmed the incident. He said no arrests had been made.
Protests close 2nd hospital
The protests, which started on Monday and continued yesterday, have closed the hospital.
Police used rubber bullets to disperse about 700 protesters from at least four surrounding villages, including children as young as 10.
Madwaleni, about 80km from Mthatha, is the second hospital to feel the impact of service delivery protests this month. Siphethu hospital in Ntabankulu was shut for two days last week when residents protested over the lack of electricity supply.
They caused damage to an electricity pole supplying the hospital and a 20-year-old new mother was electrocuted when she stepped on live wires. The baby was not harmed and the young mother is said to be recovering well.
Eastern Cape health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo condemned the targeting of hospitals over issues that had “nothing to do” with the department.
He confirmed that an EMS helicopter was used to airlift critical patients from Madwaleni to the Nelson Mandela Central Hospital in Mthatha, 85km away.
TB patient Kunukunu Siwabayi said she was concerned about the situation.
“We can’t take medication without eating, so doctors cooked for us.
“We are sick here and we cannot run away. We have nothing to do with electricity. We don’t know why they are coming here,” she said.
Shops in the area were also closed yesterday and a nearby construction company building reservoirs suspended work for two days due to the strike.
Protest leader Isaac Ngqongwa said they were shocked when the electrification project “skipped” them last year. “We have been waiting and waiting since 2013 when they surveyed our area for installation of electricity.
“Why are we being skipped when we are situated in the middle of the areas getting electricity?”
Ngqongwa said they still had no running water, lights or toilets.
“We have not tasted this freedom, not benefited since the ANC came into power,” he said.
Protester KwaKhanya Cimani said they had the third largest number of voters in the Mbhashe municipality – but had nothing to show for it.
“Nurses and teachers are refusing to come and work in our area because of the terrible living and working conditions caused by lack of electricity.
“Our mothers are being raped at night because it’s dark,” she said.
Ward 26 committee member Bokomfu Nompawu said only six villages out of 12 had power. Ward 28 councillor Bayanda Maqelana, who was in hiding two kilometres from the scene of the protest, said he feared for his life.
“They are very angry. I am fearing for my life and I can’t go there alone.
“They have been waiting for a very long time. I am their servant and they will think I am not doing my job,” said Maqelana.
He said the Mbhashe mayor had addressed the protesters on Tuesday, promising to return today with representatives from Eskom.
By late yesterday, the road had been reopened and two ambulances were seen racing towards the hospital.
Mqanduli police spokesman Major Zamukulungisa Jozana confirmed the incident. He said no arrests had been made.
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