Pietermaritzburg: a city of violence

State-controlled hospital services in South Africa are racially determined, with separate facilities for the different racial groups. The recent violence seen in and around Pietermaritzburg has resulted in an increasing number of blacks attending hospitals other than their own racially defined institution. The majority of these patients make their own way to hospital, usually from nearby localities, suggesting a demand to utilize "local" facilities. Some 50% of all dogbites, 25% of shootings, and 20% of stabbings were brought in by the police. One third of shootings ended fatally. Possible reasons why some blacks attend hospitals other than their own racially defined, are explored.