The clinic was reportedly shut down on Thursday (11/6). In a letter seen by OFM News, the department stated both patients and employees were at risk of contracting communicable diseases because of poor hygiene conditions caused by the lack of a reliable water supply. The department added the unavailability of water could result in the transmission of infectious diseases through contamination. 

It further noted it would only consider revoking or amending the closure directive once adequate and satisfactory measures had been put in place to eliminate or substantially reduce the threat that led to the prohibition.

The closure comes amid longstanding concerns about water shortages at the facility. Reports previously emerged that pregnant patients were forced to travel from Masilo Clinic to a distant public tap to fetch water.

SABC News previously spoke to two pregnant women carrying buckets after attempting to collect water from a nearby tap. The women were left disappointed when no water was available and claimed they often had to move from one location to another in search of water.

Residents of Theunissen have repeatedly raised alarm over the dire conditions at Masilo Clinic, which has reportedly been without a reliable water supply for more than a decade.

The facility, situated within the Masilonyana local municipality, is said to have endured a 12-year water crisis, leaving both patients and healthcare workers to operate under difficult and unsanitary conditions.

The prohibition notice from the department of labour. 

Resident Thato Sethoba, 39, previously told OFM News the clinic’s toilets had been locked for years because of the lack of running water, despite renovations having been completed at the facility. The situation has added to the burden faced by residents who already struggle with limited access to basic services.

Sethoba also highlighted severe staffing shortages at the clinic. The facility has only two permanent employees – a matron and a nurse. She claimed several other nurses had been employed on short-term contracts, many of which have since expired, further worsening the staffing crisis.

The closure of Masilo Clinic follows the earlier shutdown of Lusaka Clinic in Theunissen due to health hazards affecting both patients and healthcare workers. Services previously offered at Lusaka Clinic, along with its staff, were relocated to Masilo Clinic despite the latter’s own challenges related to water scarcity.

At the time, the Free State department of health said it was working with Masilonyana municipality, local businesses and the department of public works and infrastructure to ensure healthcare services in the area continued to function effectively.

Masilonyana municipality has faced growing criticism over persistent water supply failures. Many residents believe the crisis is linked to the vandalism of water infrastructure. Some have alleged that the vandalism is orchestrated by individuals seeking to benefit from municipal contracts for water tanker services during prolonged outages.

The municipality has also come under scrutiny over its financial management. Reports indicate while the municipality spends approximately R18m per month on salaries, it generates only between R1.8m and R2m in revenue.

Meanwhile, Masilonyana mayor Dimakatso Modise is reportedly among several ANC local government leaders who have resisted calls to resign. The party has implemented leadership changes in struggling municipalities across the province.

Reports suggest that some officials facing removal have been negotiating redeployment opportunities to other municipalities.

OFM News has sent an inquiry to the Free State department of health and is awaiting a response.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cvs

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