Page 1 - 28 March 2025

On Wednesday, 19 March, a
team of four volunteers
rolled up their sleeves to
tackle the overgrown lawn in
the garden at Cloete Joubert
Hospital. We salute Nichola
Kotze, Rassie Erasmus,
Chris Jansen van Vuuren,
and Luigi Nieveldt for their
selfless act of kindness in
sprucing up the area.
These volunteers brought a
smile to Hospital staff and
patients. One Hospital staff
member said that she
opened her curtains and for
the “first time in 15 years felt
like rolling in the grass”. The peaceful protestors raised valid and legitimate concerns. Photograph taken from the
A much neater Lawn, thanks to Nicky, Rassie, Chris and
Thank you to these four. Luigi. Photograph taken by Carla Rossouw Vukani Community Radio Station Facebook page.
On Monday 24 March 2025 The first protest took place in in the town. Allegedly the
two protests took place in an orderly and peaceful SAPS had to resort to using
Indwe. manner. By 11:30 the tear gas to disperse this
protestors had raised their mob.
A peaceful march took place
by concerned residents who concerns and dispersed Nearby residents were
were protesting the Hospital peacefully. affected by the gas and were
being converted into a clinic. We were shown a picture that confined to their homes out
The protesters demanded to was being distributed via of fear of becoming a target
speak to a representative or social media calling for a of the youth and their stones.
the head of the Eastern Cape complete close down of This continued for a few
Department of Health. The Indwe on the 24th to the hours and the SAPS
Community members and 26th of March. They asked m e m b e r s e v e n t u a l l y
p r o t e s t e r s h a d v a l i d that no businesses be managed to restore order.
concerns. It is unthinkable opened, and that no alcohol T h e S A P S m u s t b e
that the Department wants be sold. We are not sure who commended on the way in
to convert the town's was calling for this. which they handled this
hospital into a clinic. At approximately 13:30 volatile situation and
Community members asked several youths showed up protected the citizens.
valid questions and raised and the 2nd protest started. We were informed that on
concerns. One such These unruly youths burned Tuesday morning the
The angry and unruly youth “hi-jacked” the peaceful protest, throwing stones, causing concern is what would tyres etc in the streets and protestors were once again
damage and burning tyres etc in the streets. Photographs supplied. happen to emergency cases, threw stones at the SAPS assembling. At the time of
such as a stabbing, or members and vehicles and going to press we had no
someone experiencing a generally caused damaged further information.
heart attack or an allergic
reaction? Why does the
Health Department make
decisions that affect a
community so negatively
without proper consultation
or listening and considering
the concerns and questions Peaceful protestors. Photograph taken from the Vukani
of the community? Community Radio Station Facebook page.