MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – The only officially registered HIV/AIDS information, counselling and care centre in Eltivillas is being jeopardized by a series of negative events.

The centre, initiated by the Limpopo Rural Women Against Aids, was burglared twice during the long weekend, bringing the burglary attacks on the centre to three since the beginning of March.

Volunteer workers at the centre expressed surprise this week at the sudden series of violent onslaughts on the centre, which has been in operation since September 2002 in the old clinic building next to the bus- and taxi stand in Eltivillas. The premises are fenced in with security mesh topped with razor wire.

The burglaries started all of a sudden in March this year, with a burglary during which project-related documents were seemingly the prime target. Valuable equipment was left untouched, but several documents were removed from the desk in the counsellor's office.

The chief functionary at the centre, well- known herbalist Ms Gladys Makhele, said this week the important work at the centre will continue, regardless of the trauma and damage caused by these events. Ms Makhele, who managed her own herbal clinic in the central business district of the town since 1995, was approached in August 2002 by senior committee members of Limpopo Rural Women Against Aids, to assist them with the establishment of an Aids information and counselling centre in town. She was invited to relocate her business to space which they had available in the old Eltivillas clinic and was assured that there was ample space for reception, counselling and consultation "for your patients and our clients." This would allow her to continue her business, while at the same time being available for counselling HIV/AIDS victims.

Ms Makhele took up the invitation which was communicated to her by Ms Nandi Ndalane, MPL, and Ms Hoorzuk, Speaker of the Makhado Municipal Council, with the support of other municipal council representatives. She initiated and completed the official registration of the project, and got the project on a sound footing, whilst upgrading the physical surroundings of the centre.

In September 2003, the committee thanked her for her valuable work and instructed her to vacate the premises within six days.

"I obviously refused and requested a meeting to discuss the matter." The request was ignored, but she said she was repeatedly harassed and intimidated by a senior committee member.

According to one of the volunteers at the centre, two senior members of the committee then arrived at the centre in January this year and started removing expensive equipment, including a computer, printer, fax machine, photocopier, heater and kettle, all received as donations for the project. The police was informed of the incident and it was also reported to the Municipal Manager and the mayor's office, which sent three representatives to mediate in the incident. The two committee members, with the equipment already packed in their car, were then allegedly allowed to depart, while the representatives promised to "solve the problem" and report back within four days.

When this did not happen, Ms Makhele approached the mayor towards the end of February this year. He designated two representatives to deal with the issue. Early in March, they promised to do so as soon as they had finished their election duties.

A few days later, the first burglary occurred.

In the latest spate of burglaries, packaged medicine, a radio and some cooldrinks were stolen on April 8. While the police were still investigating, the criminals again forcibly entered the premises on April 11 and removed a television set and chairs – some of the last remaining donated equipment. The violence with which they forced out the burglar proofing on the inside of the window caused structural damage to the window sill and to the wall above the window.

In all instances the burglars gained entry to the premises by first snipping a hole through the security mesh and then bashing a window and forcing away the burglar proofing.

Amidst all these adversities, the centre and its volunteer staff under the expert guidance of Ms Makhele are energetically fulfilling their mission of providing much-needed counselling and advice, as well as dietary and other assistance, and follow-up visits to HIV/AIDS patients. This includes taking them a social worker to assist them in applications for available grants.

Ms Makhele, a qualified herbalist and counsellor, was a member of a scientific research team sponsored by universities in South Africa and elsewhere in Africa to investigate possible herbal treatment for HIV/AIDS patients. Clinical trials were conducted in Limpopo Province by this team during 1999.

With the assistance of some volunteers, an extensive horticultural project has been developed on the land surrounding the centre in Eltivillas. Amongst others, various herbs and indigenous vegetables are being produced to supply patients with additional nourishment and relief. They are also enlightened about the value of indigenous fruit and vegetables and methods to cultivate them.

When Me Hoorzuk was approached this week about the problems experienced at the centre, she said she could not comment at this stage. She denied any knowledge of the alleged removal of equipment from the centre.