Hanover Park Community Health Centre Re-opened

The Western Cape Government Health announced on 21 October 2013 that the Hanover Park Community Health Centre (CHC) re-opened after it was forced to close due to a shooting incident near the facility. A bullet passed through the wall of the facility manager’s office, just missing the manager, who was in her office at the time.

At the recommendation of the district manager, the facility was closed with immediate effect and the South African Police Services (SAPS) requested to increase their presence in the area. The facility was closed on Friday, 19 October, but re-opened the next day. Traumatised staff received counselling through the employee assistance programme.

Western Cape Minister of Health, Theuns Botha, said: “The safeguarding and well-being of our staff is a priority, and it is for this reason that we decided to close the facility with immediate effect. We would welcome inputs from the community on the issue.”    

Western Cape Government Health’s own security has also been strengthened and the department’s security expert is assisting in ensuring the security measures at the facility are strengthened. The department has been forced by the on-going threat to consider the upgrading of the facility with increased security protection although this will only address the security threat in the medium term.