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The Limpopo government’s failure to pay rent to an NGO has forced the closure of a clinic in the Sekhukhune region.

Though they had local residents’ interests at heart, they would not allow the clinic at the old Jane Furse hospital buildings to operate unless health authorities paid R17,500 a month for rent, Jane Furse Memorial Village NGO spokesman Tebogo Phasha said on Thursday.

About 5,000 people were affected.

“We feel pity for poor patients who come here daily and get no help since we closed the clinic on Monday. We have been negotiating with nurses since last year to pay us because the clinic is using electricity, water and toilets, which are paid and maintained by our NGO,” said Phasha.

Since the Jane Furse hospital relocated to the new premises, over 5km away about 10 years ago, the old building was returned to its original owners, the Anglican Church. However a clinic for outpatients was left at the old building.

“Now that the government no longer pays for water and electricity they must rent the space they are using and pay for these basics. To prove our humanity we still have goods and items belonging to the department of health still stored in other parts of our buildings,” he said.

Jameson Mogodumo, who accompanied his elderly mother to the clinic on Thursday, was disappointed to find the clinic closed with no signs of nurses.

“I guided my mother, 81, on foot for 3km up the mountains from Ga-Molepane village to come here for her chronic medication, but here now the clinic is closed.

“Walking for another 6km at her age and failing health to the hospital, or to another clinic at Madibong or Dichweung, is impossible - and we have no money for taxis.

“Nurses did not even inform us the clinic was closing. We would not have wasted our energies coming here.” 

When asked about the clinic’s closure provincial health department spokesman Joe Maila said he had no knowledge of this.

“I will investigate the matter and come back to you”, he said.

Comments

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Mon May 20 15:45:26 SAST 2013 ::

Mar 15, 2012

dimpho_4U

"I guided my mother, aged 81, on foot for 3km up the mountains to come here for her chronic medication, but now the clinic is closed"
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talk about the new South Africa,somewhere in the rural.. one person is desperate for basic meds,while the "big kats" ..spend government money on corruptive luxuries.
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Mar 15, 2012

candilious

Jaja'sQueen- Now what do you haveto say
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Mar 15, 2012

oldlady2

She'll say this is Limpopo, not Gauteng.
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Mar 15, 2012

candilious

@oldlady2-LOL- The situation will follow suit in GAUTENG you wait and see
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Mar 15, 2012

ntiki

Gauteng owes lot of people but because shower man is in good space with premier he doesnt expose the province. mxm
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Mar 15, 2012

candilious

@ntiki-You think
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Mar 15, 2012

TKay

Thats what government do best...investigate the matter and never resolve it
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Mar 15, 2012

tlebebe

sommer foolish behaviours of greedy people, limpopo etla bofelong,
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Mar 15, 2012

Tikoloshe

...........Ooooooooooooh Zimpopo!!!!!

......get used to walking to run down State facilities, standing in ques with Gogo for pension, dying on wooden benches waiting for admission at State hospitals.....you vote sh1t you getta sh1t Jameson...finished and Klaar. All da monies she goes to da hyenas who in the name of being our liberators are our oppressors Mfana Wami!!!
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Mar 15, 2012

OnPoint

Batho ba kwa ka letlalo. ANC needs a challenge. IT's about time ppl realise that...
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