Calls for the Urgent Restoration of 24-Hour Services at Verena Community Clinic

ActionSA is deeply concerned by the continued suspension of 24-hour services at Verena Community Clinic, which has left thousands of residents without access to emergency primary healthcare during the night.

During an oversight visit to the clinic on 3 August 2026, it was confirmed that the clinic is no longer operating on a 24-hour basis despite having previously provided round-the-clock healthcare services.

The suspension of night services follows a violent armed robbery that occurred on 15 November 2025, when two armed suspects entered the clinic at approximately 02:00. During the incident, healthcare workers were held at gunpoint while an armed security officer exchanged gunfire with the suspects and sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. 

Following the incident, the relevant nurses’ union directed that the clinic should not resume 24-hour operations until critical security measures, including the installation of burglar doors, CCTV cameras and other security upgrades, had been implemented.

While the safety of healthcare workers must remain a priority, it is unacceptable that, nearly nine months later, these security concerns remain unresolved and the community continues to bear the consequences of government inaction.

The suspension of 24-hour services at Verena Community Health Centre has left residents without access to overnight primary healthcare in their community, forcing many to travel to KwaMhlanga Hospital during medical emergencies. For many families, the cost, distance and limited availability of transport make this extremely difficult, particularly after hours.

The situation is further worsened by the lack of reliable emergency medical services. Residents report significant delays in ambulance responses, with emergency calls reportedly being routed through Middelburg instead of directly to ambulance services within Thembisile Hani Local Municipality. This unnecessary delay places lives at risk during medical emergencies.

Access to healthcare is a constitutional right, and no community should be left without emergency healthcare services because government has failed to provide adequate security infrastructure.

ActionSA therefore calls on the Mpumalanga Department of Health to:

• Urgently complete all outstanding security upgrades at Verena Community Clinic.
• Restore 24-hour services without further delay once safety requirements have been met.
• Strengthen security measures at healthcare facilities to protect both staff and patients.
• Improve ambulance services in Thembisile Hani by ensuring residents have direct access to local emergency medical services.

ActionSA will continue to monitor this matter and hold the Department of Health accountable until the people of Verena once again have access to safe, reliable and uninterrupted healthcare services.

ActionSA Electoral Debut: First contested the 2021 Local Government Elections.