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According to a report this morning several doctors in Soweto were attacked this weekend by armed gangs who broke into surgeries demanding Anti-Retrovirals (ARVs) to make Nyaope, also known as Whoonga. Nyaope is a drug concoction of dagga, ARVs, cheap heroin and other substances.

The DA alerted the Gauteng Social Development department to this problem five years ago. Yet nothing has been done to address the situation. When we last raised the issue in the Gauteng Legislature the Department stated it would follow up on the matter. This has not happened.

The selling of ARVs has become a roaring trade in several regions across Gauteng with many patients opting to sell their medication for money instead taking them.

The DA will continue to pursue this issue until the Department outlines and implements a comprehensive strategy for dealing with the problem, which is now also endangering the lives of medical healthcare professionals in the province.