Gauteng MEC for health Gwen Ramokgopa visited Community Healthcare Workers (CHWs) who were raped and assaulted while doing community follow-up visits to patients in Olifantsfontein.
Ramokgopa said four CHWs were attacked by assailants who raped one of them and sexually humiliated other three by making them strip naked. She added that the attackers also took their belongings.
“This is the worst form of human rights violation in the face of National Declaration against Gender Based Violence. The four victims are receiving medical and psychological assistance. The victims are based in Olifantsfontein and they are offered medical counseling at Olifantsfontein Clinic. A case was also opened at Olifantsfontein police station”, she said.
Ramokgopa added that she requested Community Safety MEC to work together with police on this case to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book. She also requests the community to cooperate with police to make sure that the suspects face full might of the law.
“Community Health Workers’ role includes providing health education, counseling and visiting patients and elderly at their homes. By this programme, the department’s mission is to empower communities, therefore to optimise wellness and encourage early referral to clinics. It is also to reduce long queues in health facilities through the community based chronic medicine distribution services”, said Ramokgopa.
