Published – 11:49, April 20, 2026
By Thabelo Ramulifho, Thomo Nkadima
Abandoned Clinic Sparks Safety Concerns Among Residents in Praktiseer
Praktiseer, Limpopo – Residents of Praktiseer are expressing growing alarm over the deteriorating condition of a long-abandoned clinic, believed to be the first medical facility established in the area during the early 1970s. The structure has stood empty since its closure in 2004 when a new clinic opened, but its presence is increasingly seen as a potential hotspot for criminal activity and vandalism, prompting urgent calls for government intervention.
Once a vital health resource for the community, the old clinic has fallen into disrepair over the past two decades. The doors, windows, and ceiling are in ruins, and local youths have begun using the grounds for gambling games, while vandals strip the building of electrical wiring. Residents fear that, if left unchecked, the site could become a hiding place for criminal elements drawn to its seclusion.
“It’s heartbreaking to see our community’s history eroding like this,” lamented one local resident. “This building was once a source of care for many, and now it poses a danger instead of providing help”, so said one community leader.
The Call for Action
Old Clinic Building
( Pic ) By Thomo Nkadima
Residents are particularly concerned about the impact of the clinic’s closure on vulnerable members of the community. Seniors and terminally ill patients are now forced to travel up to three kilometers to access the new clinic. Many of these individuals rely on walking aids, making the journey particularly challenging. “The government should have kept the old clinic running alongside the new one,” one concerned citizen stated. “It’s a tragedy that our elders now have to struggle just to receive their medications.”
In light of the situation, community members are rallying to demand action from local authorities. They argue that the government should utilize the clinic building as a center for people living with disabilities or as an old age home. The site also has two unused boreholes, which could provide a significant benefit to residents who currently struggle to find reliable access to clean drinking water.
The Blame Game
However, the path to restoring the old clinic is hindered by bureaucratic confusion. According to Neil Shikwambane, spokesperson for the Limpopo Department of Health, the building is the responsibility of the Department of Public Works. “While our new facility is operational, the old clinic is still under the jurisdiction of the health department,” he clarified. This marks a bureaucratic deadlock over the future of the abandoned building, leaving residents in a state of uncertainty.
As the debate continues, the old clinic remains a poignant symbol of the community’s challenges. Residents are calling for urgent intervention, not just for the safety of their children and elderly, but to preserve the history of a place that once served them. “We’re just trying to take care of our community, but it feels like we’re fighting against our own history,” said a local caretaker of the building. “We need support to safeguard it from vandalism and to transform it into something beneficial for all.”
The community of Praktiseer stands hopeful that their voices will be heard, advocating for a future where the old clinic can once again be a place of healing and support for those in need.