R6m Covid-19 hospital torched in KZN
Police in KwaZulu-Natal are investigating a case of arson after a new R6 million Covid-19 building at Catherine Booth Hospital in Eshowe was partly burnt down.
Police spokesperson Nqobile Gwala says an unknown group of people attacked the hospital in the early hours of Friday morning.
"All the equipment in the offices were burnt and the circumstance surrounding the incident are still being investigated.”
In a statement, Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu says the actions of a few people could end up endangering the lives of many.
"We're going to continue using this hospital for Covid-19 as and when it is necessary for us to do so. If the community does not allow us to do that, it means they do not need this hospital.
"We might then need to go back to the premier and request that this facility be closed down, because we’re not going to have a facility that will be a white elephant and not be utilised.
"Right now, the department, province and country needs beds for Covid-19. When we are stopped from utilising a facility to save people's lives… that is something we're not going to tolerate. That is anarchy, and we will not stand aside and watch.”
Educational institutions hotspots for rape - Cele
He made the remarks at the release of the latest crime statistics in Pretoria on Friday. Sexual offences, which include rape, increased by 1.7% between April 2019 and March 2020. ALSO READ: OECD forecasts 8% GDP contraction for SA economy "It is of concern that educational institutions are becoming hotbeds for sexual violence.