The Dingleydale community is protesting at the local clinic after 10 individuals from outside the area were employed instead of locals.

Residents claim that out of the many applicants, only eight were granted an interview.

A complaint was filed with the Department of Health (DoH) on February 28. Protests began on March 2, and as of today, March 19, are still ongoing. Community members have barricaded the clinic’s entrance, forcing a total shutdown.

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Community leader and appointed spokesperson for the protest, Ernest Nkanyane, said that one of the protest demands is that a minimum of 10 positions at the clinic be made available to Dingleydale residents.

He stated that protests will continue until demands are met and the community has received adequate communication from either clinic officials or the DoH.

The Ehlanzeni District health manager, Bhekumusa Khoza, released a statement on behalf of himself, the director of primary healthcare, Rosemary Mabunda, and Bushbuckridge sub-district deputy director of primary healthcare, Simon Mabika.

According to Nkanyane, Khoza acknowledged that the appointment of the 10 clinic employees was improper, but said the clinic was unable to simply terminate the employees.

Alternative options, such as relocation, would need to be implemented.

Mpumalanga DoH spokesperson Dumisane Malamule said there is no policy that prohibits clinics employing healthcare workers from other areas or villages.

“We see that there’s a lack of information when it comes to our community in terms of how this operates,” he said.

He explained that there is a need for the DoH to communicate with the communities and promote employment information and relevant processes.

“If we have to escalate the matter to the authorities we should, because it is very important that we deliver those [healthcare] services.”

The community was informed about a meeting between the DoH and clinic officials on March 13. Khoza told protesters that he would address them after the meeting and give further information about what has been decided.

Although community members waited at the clinic for feedback, they never received any. At the time of publication, they were still waiting on communication from the DoH.

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Nkanyane said he hopes the department does the right thing, since the problem is not isolated to Dingleydale, but prevalent across Bushbuckridge and many other areas.

The Bushbuckridge sub-district offices and several other health facilities – including Buffelshoek, Arthur’s Seat, Belfast, Cottondale and Cunningmore – are also closed due to community protests.