A community on the verge

Armed with only contempt towards an alleged ‘corrupt’ system, Dannhauser residents took to the streets in peaceful protest recently.

Memorandum in hand, about 200 protestors from Wards 1 to 11 marched from the outskirts of Dannhauser to the Community Health Centre (CHC), making their presence known only in song.

Hoping to be included in the CHC’s job search, residents were confined by thin red and white tape and under heavy police escort. As they arrived at their destination, they were greeted by Department of Health officials peering out from behind a cold steel gate; the security team never more than a few metres away.

Giving residents and protest leaders an opportunity to speak, they presented a lengthy memorandum via microphone. Expecting more than an explanation, residents made their cause ‘come to life’ in passionate displays of disgust.

Collectively, they claimed the CHC’s employment process was severely flawed.

Since posts were allegedly not advertised properly, residents from in and around Dannhauser said they were not included in the job selection process.

Despite the unrest, critics alleged the most qualified people should be employed instead of making it a ‘community-run’ centre.

“I understand I cannot be employed as a doctor, but at least employ me as a cleaner!” exclaimed a young protestor.

Basing their protest largely around a crucial figure, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health, Sibongiseni Dhlomo allegedly informed them 80 per cent of staff to be employed should reside within the immediate surrounding areas.

Dr Dhlomo recently stated that while the department would ‘love’ to provide employment to the locals, many of their applications did not meet the requirements. He also said housing had been made available for the sole purpose of bringing in qualified personnel from out of town to ensure the CHC’s success in the long run.

Despite this, Dr Dhlomo said once the centre opened its doors towards the end of this month, more jobs would be made available. The plan at this stage is to start off ‘small’.

Matters escalated when time came for officials from the department to acknowledge and sign the memorandum.

Barricaded by police shields as pen was put to paper, protestors expressed their outrage, unsure why their promise of peace had apparently fallen on deaf ears.

As police armed themselves with teargas, ready to take action, leaders urged the community to rally without resorting to violence.

In the final moments before the crowd dispersed after spending several hours in the sun, an eerie, yet abrupt warning was issued in a moment of silence.

“If you do not meet our demands, we will vandalise.”