WC Social Dev MEC condemns continued attacks on staff
On Wednesday, a community development worker based at the department's offices in Khayelitsha was shot and wounded during a hijacking incident.
Western Cape Social Development MEC Sharna Fernandez at the opening of a new Thuthuzela Care Centre in Stellenbosch on 16 April 2024. Picture: Facebook/MinisterFernandez
CAPE TOWN - Western Cape Social Development MEC Sharna Fernandez has condemned recent attacks against staff from her department.
Fernandez said on Wednesday, a community development worker based at the department's offices in Khayelitsha was shot and wounded during a hijacking incident.
He has since been discharged from hospital.
The following morning, a social worker was hijacked in Khayelitsha on her way to the office.
Fernandez said since the beginning of the year, there have been five reported attacks on their staff.
She added that not only are these attacks traumatising to their staff, but also they also hamper the important service they offer to vulnerable residents.
"I have been in contact with the community development worker of Wednesday’s incident, and he is, understandably, angry that he was attacked while trying to serve the community. It cannot be that staff who are trying to make a positive change are falling prey to callous criminals.”