Chaos erupted as a raging fire swept through Holycross Hospital, leaving staff members homeless and destroyed a closed post office, sparking questions about the mysterious inferno’s origin in the velds.
On Friday, 16 August, a devastating conflagration swept through the residences of Holycross staff members in Flagstaff, leaving hundreds of ailing individuals stranded amidst the inferno. Witnesses recounted how the voracious veld fires insidiously reduced the homes to ashes, displacing at least 40 staff members who were forced to flee with a few left belongings. Furthermore, the destruction of electricity wires plunged the area into darkness, severely disrupting daily operations and aggravating the shortage of staff at the hospital and clinic.
Among the properties affected by the fires was a post office adjacent to the clinic, which has been inactive for some time. The community has criticised the fire marshals for their delayed response, reportedly taking several hours to arrive after the initial reports. Additionally, some locals have interpreted the fire as a form of divine retribution for the alleged misconduct of the hospital and clinic staff, citing the alleged neglectful attitude, laziness and even violence towards patients. These concerns have been amplified on social media, where citizens have expressed their outrage and frustration with the staff’s behaviour.
Misa Naj Lwana Antiflick expressed strong disapproval towards the nurses’ treatment of patience, alleging that they handle them roughly.
“It is unacceptable that the staff is physically mishandling patients’, stated Lwana.
Lamez Lamez expressed a sense of sadness about the situation, but also felt that the individuals in question had shown a lack of sympathy. Lamez shared a personal experience of being struck while in pain and perceived the staff’s behaviour as inhumane. However, Lamez seemed to have found solace in the fact that they have survived.
Makhiwane Ayanda Ayoba offered a conciliatory perspective, expressing gratitude that no lives were lost. She acknowledged the severity of the situation and offered words of comfort, urging those affected to remain calm and assured that the difficult time would soon pass.
Potwana Toni Wanda observed that upon reading the comments, he noticed a concerning dynamic between Holycross nursing staff and the local residents, characterised by tension and dislike. Potwana encouraged the staff to engage in self-reflection and explore the reasons behind negativity.
This is devastating