MEC Ramokgopa visits community healthcare workers who were victims of rape, assault while on duty
This afternoon Gauteng MEC for Health Dr Gwen Ramokgopa will visit community healthcare workers (CHWs) who fell victim to rape and assault in Olifantsfontein whilst doing follow-up visits to patients in the community.
Four CHWs were attacked by assailants who raped one of them and sexually humiliated the other three by making them strip naked. The robbers also took their belongings.
All four victims are receiving medical and psychological assistance. Medical counselling is also currently being offered to all the CHWs linked to the Olifantsfontein Clinic where the victims are based. Further, criminal cases were opened at the Olifantsfontein Police Station.
“I’m greatly distressed and saddened by this attack of our community health workers in this manner. This is one of the worst forms of human rights violation in the face of the National Declaration against Gender Based violence. What kind of a society have we become?
“I have already requested the MEC of Community Safety yesterday to help work with police to deal with this case swiftly to ensure perpetrators are brought to book. We request the community to cooperate with the police in this regard to stop these heinous crimes immediately and ensure perpetrators face the full might of the law,” said MEC for Health Dr Gwen Ramokgopa.
The role of the CHWs includes providing health education, counselling and visiting patients and the elderly at their homes. Through this program the Department aims to empower communities to optimise wellness, encourage early referral to clinics and also to reduce long queues in health facilities through the community based chronic medicine distribution services.
Details of the visit are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 28 March 2018
Time: 15:00
Venue: Olifantsfontein Clinic, 6 Reginald Street, Clayville, Olifantsfontein
