26 October 2021

KWAZULU-Natal Health MEC Ms Nomagugu Simelane has shot down rumours that the COVID-19 vaccine turns people into blood-thirsty cannibals, saying that she herself is living proof that the vaccine is safe for use.

"As I stand before you, I've never had the urge to eat anyone, and it will never happen. So, what people are saying about the vaccine making people want to eat others...of being part of 5G technology, or linked to the work of the devil, is all nothing but a myth. It is not true."

The MEC was speaking during a mobile community outreach programme known as Isibhedlela Kubantu, at Magabheni Sports Ground, near Umkomaas earlier today, which attracted more than 500 mainly elderly people.

The Province of KwaZulu-Natal has now vaccinated more than 3, 233 million people.

At the community outreach programme, local residents got to be seen by doctors and nurses on site, and had free access to an array of health services, including a mobile X-Ray, screening and testing for COVID-19, hypertension, TB, HIV and AIDS, and cervical cancer.

Also on offer were child immunisation and family planning services.

"The reason we are here today is that our Premier Mr Sihle Zikalala took a decision that we should bring health care services closer to communities. He said he knows that there are clinics in our residential areas, but not every person can access them easily. It is therefore important that other health care services are brought closer to communities. For instance, not all clinics are able to provide help to those who have eye-related ailments. So, they are forced to drive all the way to town; or to a private doctor to get help. But here today, we do have an eye care doctor."

In recent weeks - especially since the COVID-19 Alert was adjusted to Level 1 at the beginning of October - MEC Simelane has been criss-crossing the Province, making sure that as many people as possible have access to health services, and get to imbibe key health messages.

Isibhedlela Kubantu and other community outreach programmes will continue in earnest in the coming days, weeks, and months.

ENDS Issued by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health