Western Cape health system under siege: Nearly 27,000 violent trauma cases in six months
Nearly 27,000 patients were treated for violent injuries at Western Cape public hospitals in just six months, placing “relentless pressure” on emergency centres and trauma units, according to provincial health oversight spokesperson Memory Booysen, MPP.
Citing a written parliamentary reply, Booysen said 3,111 people were admitted for gunshot wounds and 23,711 for stabbing-related injuries between June and November 2025, figures she described as deeply alarming.
“Over the past six months, hospitals across the Western Cape have continued to shoulder an extremely high burden of violence-related trauma cases,” Booysen said.
“Emergency centres and trauma units are operating under relentless pressure, largely due to injuries linked to firearms and knives, many of which are associated with gang activity.”
She warned that the constant stream of violent trauma patients is stretching healthcare workers and diverting critical resources away from other emergencies.
“This constant influx of violent trauma cases diverts critical resources, stretches healthcare workers to breaking point, and compromises the ability of the health system to provide timely care for other medical emergencies,” she said.
Booysen said while the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness continues to invest in health services and emergency response capacity, the system is under severe strain because of ongoing criminal violence.
“The reality is that the Department of Health and Wellness is under strain due to unchecked criminal violence,” she said.
“Crime prevention and law enforcement remain national competencies, and SAPS must do better to prevent criminal casualties from clogging up the healthcare system.”
She called on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to urgently strengthen proactive, intelligence-driven policing, especially in gang-affected communities.
“SAPS must move beyond reactive responses and take decisive action to disrupt gangs, remove illegal firearms from our communities, and prevent violence before it reaches hospital doors,” Booysen said.
“Our healthcare workers deserve safer working conditions, our communities deserve protection, and our health system deserves meaningful relief. Proactive policing is essential to breaking the cycle of violence.”
IOL News