This, despite the Health Department insisting the clinic is not closed, and urges staff to return to work. The Labour Department’s Occupational Health and Safety officer, Muso Maraka, tells OFM News that he personally closed the clinic down for failing to put measures in place to mitigate the spread of the virus at the facility. 

In a letter dated 11 August 2020, Maraka states that the health and safety of the clinic’s staff are at risk following positive cases at the facility. It further reads that the clinic failed to investigate and put measures in place to prevent the spread of the virus. Moreover, it states the clinic shall not allow anyone to enter the premises until the correct measures are instituted.

The spokesperson for the Free State Health Department, Mondli Mvambi, vehemently disputes the Labour Department’s version of events. 

While he agrees that the clinic was assessed by the labour department, he maintains that it is still operating. He adds that the Health Department is awaiting a report from Maraka, the results of which will be analysed in a meeting with the delegates from both departments.

Mvambi adds the Health Department was surprised that health officials at the clinic were standing in the way of the clinic’s operation and disturbing processes on Wednesday. He says the department urges the staff to go back to work and give the discussions between departments the chance assure everyone is safe and everything is done according to the full process of the law.

OFM News could not reach the clinic for comment.

OFM News