VIDEO: #CharlotteMaxeke protesters may face criminal charges

According to a statement released by the DA’s Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, Jack Bloom, the health MEC has said charges have been laid against the protesters who disrupted the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital recently.

Read more here – TAKE NOTE: Ongoing protest at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital

“This was disclosed yesterday by Gauteng Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa in an oral reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature,” said Bloom.

Ramokgopa said the charges include malicious damage to property, intimidation and attempted murder.

Bloom further discussed his concerns with Rosebank Killarney Gazette and said that in order to lay charges, suspects have to be identified. “There are cameras all over the hospital so, hopefully, the perpetrators will be identified and then charged, but, in the meantime, I was simply relaying what the MEC had said to me.”

Earlier in April, the hospital saw major disruptions and, to date, no charges were laid for that incident.

“It is no surprise that because nothing was done about the first disruption in April, that we saw it again in May,” added Bloom.

Police are currently examining the CCTV footage in a bid to identify the perpetrators. “I hope that the police do a proper investigation that can secure convictions in court, as past perpetrators of violence at health facilities have gotten off because of police incompetence in collecting evidence,” said Bloom.

I think we as black ppl need a new strategy of striking, cause this is not workibg at all, burning of things and throwing of dustbin like this doesn't solve problems. This is a hospital 4 God sake, ppl are sick & need clean environment ☹#CharlotteMaxeke

— MoMo (@Momo_Mashkid) May 31, 2018

He added that there should be harsh consequences for those who trash a hospital and threaten staff and patients in what should be a place of healing without any violence.

https://twitter.com/realnickjgood/status/1002442097553739777

The situation at #CharlotteMaxeke has calmed down, but most patients have left and non-emergency ops cancelled pic.twitter.com/9Z7xFhFUSw

— Jack Bloom (@JackBloomDA) May 31, 2018

This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.

Related articles:

https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/233079/charlotte-maxeke-hospital-ceo-responds-to-shadow-health-mecs-statement/

https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/232324/charlottemaxeke-hospital-shuts-riots-ensue-due-staff-strike/