Clinics Gain Protected Access in Settlement
Why this is here: The agreement requires specific officials—including municipal managers and police commissioners—to designate contact persons responsible for facilitating access to the clinics, increasing accountability.
Civil society groups and Gauteng’s health department reached a settlement to restore access to Yeoville and Rosettenville clinics. The agreement stems from contempt of court proceedings filed by the Treatment Action Campaign, Doctors Without Borders, and Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia. It enforces a December 2025 ruling requiring unobstructed patient access.
The state must now take reasonable steps to ensure safe access to both clinics. Johannesburg, provincial, and national health authorities, along with police, will submit a detailed implementation report by May 18. They will also file affidavits regarding further relief in the case by the same date.
Key officials will appoint contact persons to facilitate clinic access and communicate with the applicants. The court order allows the groups to seek further enforcement if needed. The initial case addressed concerns about groups unlawfully demanding identification from patients and obstructing care.