Phoenix TCC (Thuthuzela Care Centre)

About the Phoenix Thuthuzela Care Centre

The Phoenix TCC is a government-operated, 24-hour one-stop facility for survivors of rape, sexual assault, and gender-based violence. It is located at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, Phoenix Unit 2, 100 Phoenix Highway, Phoenix, 4068, in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal.

Mahatma Gandhi Hospital is the primary public hospital for the Phoenix and northern eThekwini area. The TCC serves Phoenix, Inanda, Ntuzuma, KwaMashu (the "INK" triangle) and surrounding communities — a densely populated area with significant GBV and sexual violence rates. It is one of three TCC sites in eThekwini (along with Chatsworth TCC at RK Khan Hospital and Umlazi TCC at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital).

It is operated by the NPA's SOCA Unit in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health and other government departments.

Services Offered — What Happens When You Arrive

The TCC model provides the most comprehensive pre-trial services for victims of gender-based violence — psychosocial, medical, and legal — all under one roof, with a victim-centred approach based on respect, comfort, restoring dignity, and ensuring justice for all vulnerable groups including girls, boys, women, and men.

At the Phoenix TCC:

1. Welcome and crisis support: a TCC Coordinator or Victim Assistant Officer, nurse, or NGO representative welcomes you immediately and provides comfort and trauma containment
2. Medical examination with your consent; a nurse is present throughout; clothing may be taken as forensic evidence
3. Bath or shower facilities available after the examination
4. Police statement taken at the TCC — you may open a case immediately or at a later stage
5. Counselling by a social worker or nurse
6. HIV PEP, STI treatment, emergency contraception prescribed and follow-up appointment arranged
7. Long-term counselling referral made before you leave
8. Transportation or safe accommodation arranged if you cannot safely return home
9. Specialist TCC State Advocate oversees your case from reporting through to prosecution via prosecutor-guided investigation (PGI)
10. Court preparation by a Court Preparation Officer if the case proceeds to trial
11. Ongoing case updates through the Victim Assistant Officer

Child-Friendly Services

TCCs are child-friendly environments equipped with specialised furniture, two-way mirrors, closed-circuit TV, and educational materials to support child victims and witnesses in telling their story safely and giving testimony at court.

Additional Support

The TCC also provides food, comfort packs, and clothing as part of restoring the dignity of the victim.

How to Access the Centre

• Go directly to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, 100 Phoenix Highway, Phoenix Unit 2, and ask for the Thuthuzela Care Centre
• Report to any eThekwini north police station and ask to be transported to the Phoenix TCC
• Emergency services can transport you
• All services are entirely free of charge

Who They Serve

Any person (woman, man, girl, or boy) who has been raped or sexually assaulted — including survivors of domestic violence, trafficking, and other GBV in Phoenix, Inanda, Ntuzuma, KwaMashu, and surrounding northern eThekwini communities. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Operated By

NPA SOCA Unit, in partnership with: - KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health (Mahatma Gandhi Hospital) - SAPS eThekwini - Department of Social Development - Department of Justice

NPA KwaZulu-Natal Cluster Managers

Adv. Omashani Naidoo — 031 334 5192 Adv. Mzoxolo Rusi — 031 334 5179 Adv. Dawn Coleman-Malinga — 033 391 2730