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Mkhululi Ncube, Chronicle Reporter
MARULA clinic in Mangwe District, Matabeleland South has become the latest health facility to be targeted by thieves after it lost six solar panels and three batteries last week.

Matabeleland South Police spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the incident.
Insp Mangena said it was of great concern to police that clinics were being targeted by thieves and robbers.

“The case was discovered on September 9 in the morning by the clinic clerk after discovering that some panels which were mounted on the stand were missing. A report was made to Figtree police station who attended the scene and found that six solar panels and three batteries valued at US$4 500 were missing,” she said.

Insp Mangena said police have met Ministry of Health and Child Care officials and urged them to lobby for the deployment of security guards at clinics.

“Some of these clinics fall under the Ministry of Health while some of them fall under Rural District Councils. As police we will cover the clinics during our routine patrols but we cannot be stationed at one place hence our call for the owners of the clinics to provide guards,” said Insp Mangena.

She said police are still investigating cases at Gwambe clinic where 16 roofing sheets were stolen, Bezu three where three solar batteries were stolen, Macingwana clinic where a laptop and cash were stolen and Fumugwe Clinic where solar batteries were stolen.

Insp Mangena urged members of the public to assist police by providing them with information that may lead to the arrest of suspects.

Mangwe Rural District ward 11 councillor Ngonidzashe Chemhuru said it was saddening that criminals were targeting such important infrastructure.

“This solar system was donated by USAID early this year. The incident is very painful as we are struggling to develop our community and criminals just come and destroy. This will greatly affect service delivery at the clinic because even though we have Zesa, it is erratic,” she said.

“There will be a challenge of where to put our medication like Covid-19 vaccines and other medication that need certain temperatures. Women who need maternity services will be affected as well as it will be hard for our nurses to deliver babies in darkness.

“These people seem to be very knowledgeable as they removed the solar panels like professionals. It cannot be just your common criminal. They are smart   and it is clear that it is people who know how the set-up of the system works,” she said.