Petition against family planning clinic

Residents of Isipingo, south of Durban, have objected to the proposed development of a family-planning and abortion clinic in their community.

Irate homeowners, religious organisations and schools lodged their objections with the municipality after an application by Marie Stopes South Africa to set up a clinic in Pardy Road.

A petition with 700 signatures was handed over, as well as objections from Isipingo Primary, Isipingo Secondary, Holy Cross Catholic Church, Isipingo Islamic Religious Trust, Ebenezer Assemblies of Church and Isipingo Hindi Sabha Trust.

Dharmanand Nowbuth, chairman of the Isipingo Ratepayers Association, said the establishment of such a facility, whose main activity was the termination of pregnancy, would not benefit the community.

"The religious, moral and cultural beliefs of the community, which advocate pro-life, will be severely compromised by the services offered by the Marie Stopes Clinic. As the proposed development is in a zoned residential area, its presence will have a deleterious effect on the life of residents.

"The development is on the route taken by pupils attending the nearby Isipingo Primary and Isipingo Secondary schools. The presence of such a development would have a negative effect on their minds."

At present, the clinic is based in Isipingo's central business district.

"Moving to a quiet residential area is unethical and immoral, especially in light of the fact that the developers have a thriving business concern," said Nowbuth.

He said residents were concerned that the clinic would draw more people to the area, in the process attracting criminal and unlawful activities, and property values would go down.

Marie Stopes spokesman Leanne Visser said they had submitted an application to council to ensure compliance with all regulations and were waiting for a decision .

"The Marie Stopes Health Centre, located at Mohammed Medical Centre on 8 Pardy Road, has served the Isipingo community for over 10 years.

"The demand for family planning services has increased. To ensure the centre continues to deliver safe, high-quality and professional services, Marie Stopes bought a larger premises 100m further up Pardy Road at number 22."

Marie Stopes has 33 health centres nationally.