Violent protests hamper Pretoria vaccination roll-out
Although two government vaccination sites were closed on Monday, they were open again today
Violent protests, which hit Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal over the past few days, meant another setback to the vaccination roll-out in Pretoria.
On Monday, some of the vaccination sites in Pretoria were closed as protests reached the region.
Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the sporadic protests and threats of protests saw two government vaccination sites and one mobile testing clinic at Wonderpark being closed on Monday. “The sites at Sammy Marks Chambers and FF Reiberro Clinic were closed,” Mashigo said. He said closure of the sites caused delays to set vaccination daily targets. “This will most definitely have an impact on set targets.”Mashigo said the centres have since re-opened.
Tshwane health MMC Saakie du Plooy said all of the 27 region’s vaccination sites were open and operating on Tuesday.
Du Plooy recently raised concerns over a slow uptake in the vaccination programme by eligible residents, particularly the elderly aged between 60 and 69 in Tshwane. “As of July 6, the metro has vaccinated 207 182 people and we would like to see more residents registering to get their jabs.” Meanwhile, with several shopping centres closed in Pretoria on Monday, the protests affected the private sector roll-out also. Momentum Health Solutions spokesperson Damian McHugh said due to the unrest, vaccination sites in Gauteng including Doringkloof in Pretoria would remain closed on Tuesday.
“Momentum Metropolitan is disappointed it had to make this decision that further delays the roll-out of the vaccine; however, for the safety of all staff and clients, closure is necessary.
“We are committed to commencing services once the political unrest has eased and it is safe to do so. We will keep clients updated on developments regarding the reopening of these centres.” McHugh said they would assess the situation on Wednesday for re-opening their sites.
“Our vaccination programme has been severely disrupted just as it was gaining momentum. This will have lasting effects on our ability to consolidate some of the progress we were already witnessing in our economic recovery.”
READ MORE:Tshwane notes a slow uptake in jabs
In a statement, Gauteng Premier Spokesperson Vuyo Mhaga said the protests in parts of the province resulted in people struggling to get to their places of employment due to limited access and services being disrupted. Mhaga said services, including the vaccination roll-out, were affected.
“Some provincial government services, including vaccination sites in the affected areas, had to temporarily close due to safety concerns.
“As Gauteng and the country are still in the midst of a deadly pandemic, the provincial government remains concerned at the potential spread of Covid-19 during such super-spreader events.”
Over the past week, several protest actions took place in KwaZulu-Natal, leading to a number of trucks being burnt. The protests expanded to Johannesburg on Sunday, where shops were looted. A few incidents of protests were reported in Pretoria, with shops looted in Olivenhoutbosch and Mamelodi on Monday.
On Tuesday morning, the situation remained calm with some shopping centres open.
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