Gun crime takes toll on health services

EVERY 36 hours, a doctor at Livingstone Hospital will see at least one gunshot victim with the high likelihood of the shooting being gang-related – highlighting the dire consequences of gang warfare on the public health system.

While statistics released by the office of Livingstone and Provincial Hospitals chief executive Thulani Madonsela show almost 60 people being admitted to Livingstone with gunshot wounds in 90 days, police say most of these incidents are linked to gang-related violence.

This comes as the city is gearing up for an anti-crime meeting at the Jarman Hall in Schauderville today organised by the ANC’s regional task team for Nelson Mandela Bay.

“We are preparing to make a lot of noise,” community activist and filmmaker Justin Oliphant said yesterday.

 - Estelle Ellis and Gareth Wilson