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Truck Crash Devastates Khayelitsha’s Mdzananda Animal Clinic
For nearly three decades, the Mdzananda Animal Clinic has been a lifeline for pets and their owners in Khayelitsha. This week, that lifeline suffered a devastating blow when a truck ploughed straight into the clinic’s surgical theatre, leaving behind wreckage that will take months of work and millions in resources to repair.
A shocking double incident
On Tuesday, 3 September 2025, the clinic’s operating theatre was destroyed after a truck rammed into the building. Just one day earlier, another vehicle had crashed into the clinic’s fence. While no people or animals were hurt in either incident, the damage to the facility itself is severe. Entire walls collapsed, the theatre was flattened, and the clinic’s storage area was reduced to rubble.
“This is damage of an enormous scale, damage we could never have budgeted or prepared for,” said Marcelle du Plessis, Communications and Fundraising Executive at the clinic. “We are devastated, but we are grateful that no animals or staff were harmed.”
Why this matters
The Mdzananda Animal Clinic is no ordinary vet. It has served the Khayelitsha community for 29 years, caring for up to 1,500 animals every month. Beyond vaccinations and surgeries, it provides shelter, community education, and a sense of dignity for families and their pets who might otherwise go without veterinary care.
The sudden loss of its surgical theatre is not just a setback for the staff. It means critical operations and lifesaving procedures are currently delayed or limited. While the team continues to do what they can, their capacity is severely reduced.
A call for help
True to its resilient spirit, the clinic has already launched an emergency fundraising campaign to rebuild. The appeal asks South Africans and animal lovers everywhere to contribute whatever they can, from one-off donations to ongoing support.
“Every contribution, no matter the size, will help us recover from this disaster,” du Plessis explained. “Thank you for standing with us in this time of crisis.”
Donations can be made directly to the Mdzananda Animal Clinic via Nedbank (Acc: 1314465147, Branch Code: 198765, Ref: damage + your name). Supporters can also connect with the clinic through mdzananda.co.za or by emailing [email protected].
Community reaction
The crash has sparked shock and sympathy across social media. Locals have shared photos of the wreckage with heartfelt messages about the vital role Mdzananda plays in the township. Pet owners, past adopters, and volunteers alike are calling on Joburgers and Capetonians to rally behind the rebuilding effort.
It is a reminder that while buildings can be broken overnight, the spirit of a community that values compassion and care is much harder to shake.
Also read: Fake Rides, Real Danger: How a Durban Hijacking Syndicate Was Brought Down
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: Infurmation
