New Limpopo clinic remains shut without running water

What was meant to be a two-week closure for routine maintenance at Magwedzha Clinic in Dumasi village, outside of Thohoyandou, has slowly turned into three months, while residents are in the dark on when it might re-open.

In February this year, the Limpopo Department of Health closed services at Magwedzha Clinic. Since its official opening about 3 years ago, the state-of-the-art facility has been operating without running water as the department had failed to apply to the Vhembe District Municipality for the clinic to be connected to the main pipeline from Nandoni Dam. Elitsha has previously reported on a clinic in Vhembe District where patients are expected to bring their own water when they go to the clinic.

Magwedzha was opened to the public in early 2023 despite having no water supply. In February, the health department notified patients that the clinic would be closed for about two weeks to address ‘hygiene challenges’, most critically the provision of water.

The temporary closure means extra costs for patients who have to use public transport to get to the alternative clinic in Thohoyandou, more than 15 kilometres away.

How patients are being affected

Mavhungu Mulaudzi (57) from Tshikhudini walks to Magwedzha Clinic to collect her chronic medication and consult a doctor. She now has to pay R40 for taxi fare to and from the Thohoyandou Health Centre to collect her medication. “This is too much for me and the queue was also too long compared to what I am used to at Magwedzha Clinic,” said Mulaudzi.

Mulaudzi told Elitsha that the department should have made a make-shift place at Magwedzha to render medical services instead of closing the clinic. “They should have made transport arrangements for patients to get to the alternative clinic or they should have made a temporary place to operate from at the clinic, instead of shutting the clinic. All this is stressful for some of us,” said Mulaudzi.

Munzhedzi Mafune is a 72-year-old pensioner, from Dumasi village. She resides less than a kilometre from the clinic. On Monday this week, she had to catch a taxi to Thohoyandou to collect her chronic medication.

She also complained of the long queues. “I spent almost three hours waiting in the queue to be checked by a nurse before they could give me my medication. At Magwedzha, I hardly spend more than an hour waiting as their service is very quick,” said Mafune.

Authorities’ views

Provincial health spokesperson, Neil Shikwambana told Elitsha that the temporary closure of Magwedzha Clinic is essential to ensure the long-term safety, hygiene, and effective functioning of the facility. “The department apologises for any inconvenience this may cause and assures the community that the repairs are necessary to improve service delivery and ensure a safe environment for both patients and healthcare workers,” said Shikwambana. He would not say what the reasons are for the delay in repair.

Shikwambana urged patients who frequent Magwedzha Clinic to use alternative clinics.

But the Vhembe District health manager, Ndwamato Sirwali promised that the clinic will re-open this week. “We have engaged the service provider and promised to restore some water by Friday the 5th of June 2026 or earlier. In the same breath, district would like to appreciate the patience shown by all stakeholders of Magwedzha Clinic,” Sirwali.