This morning the Joe Slovo Clinic in Nelson Mandela Bay was the fourth clinic in just three months to be robbed by armed criminals. The clinic employees have been left deeply traumatised and now fear for their lives.

Government institutions such as clinics and schools appear to be soft targets for crime. Criminals are fully aware that these facilities are inadequately fenced and do not have sufficient security. They also know that there will always be easy pickings, such as laptops, food, cell phones and drugs that can all be sold quickly for cash.

I shall write to the MEC for Health, Ntandokazi Capa, as well as Premier Oscar Mabuyane to request that an urgent strategic plan be put in place, in collaboration with sister departments such as the Department of Community Safety and the private sector security companies, to develop a two-pronged plan to end this scourge.

Firstly, schools and clinics must have access to higher levels of security 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Secondly, the South African Police Services (SAPS), along with other security stakeholders, must conduct a series of crime sweeps in the areas surrounding these facilities and be relentless in their pursuit of these criminals to bring them to book.

We simply cannot allow criminals to destroy the very fabric of our society by targeting the government institutions that are in place to uplift and improve the lives of our citizens. Our nurses and teachers should be allowed feel safe at their workplace. They deserve no less.

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