Hospital rape suspect arrested

Hospital rape suspect arrested
December 29 2011 at 09:35am
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The male nurse who allegedly raped a mentally ill patient at the Osindisweni hospital in Verulam, north of Durban has been arrested, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Thursday.

“The suspect was arrested at his house in the Osindisweni area on Wednesday,” Lt-Colonel Vincent Mdunge said.

The 30-year-old man allegedly raped a mentally ill patient in the shower at the hospital on Sunday night. The man pushed the patient against the sink and ordered her to be quiet before raping her.

He reportedly ran away from the hospital after being questioned by police.

Provincial health department spokesman Chris Maxon welcomed the arrest.

“The MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo said on Wednesday the man should consider himself fired. We have already sent him a suspension letter.”

He is facing rape charges and would appear in the Verulam Magistrate's Court on Friday. - Sapa

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Nurse raped at hospital
12 Aug 2011 | Frank Maponya | 39 comments
Attacked by a security guard at a clinic on Women's Day

A SOMBRE mood prevailed yesterday during the inauguration of Limpopo hospital boards in Polokwane.

This was after Health and Social Development MEC Dikeledi Magadzi announced that a nurse had been raped by a security guard at a clinic on Women's Day.

Magadzi said the incident happened on Tuesday at the Makahlule Clinic near Malamulele.

She said she would hold the company that employed the culprit liable and was also considering cancelling the contract between the company and the department.

The department would also install CCTV cameras and other equipment to ensure the safety of health practitioners in the province.

"The rape of the nurse by someone who was supposed to guard the institution is not something we can be proud of. We are going to do everything in our power to ensure that heads will roll over this matter," she said.

The victim was advised to open a case with the police and the guard was arrested.

The MEC also chastised some of the board members for victimising hospital heads and staff in terms of the issuing of tenders and also the making of appointments.

She gave Sekororo Hospital as an example, noting that relatives of senior officials were offered jobs ahead of deserving applicants earlier this year.

"We need employees and board members who have the interests of communities - not their own - at heart," she said. "These people must contribute to the ideal of a healthy life for all."

Her outbursts followed reports that outgoing board members at the Helen Franz Hospital in Senwabarwana had been at loggerheads with hospital management since their appointments three years ago.

The members were also accused of inviting the media to reflect on the bad state of the institution "instead of protecting the image of the institution while doing something to improve conditions".

The boards were appointed in terms of Section 61 of 2003 and members are expected to serve a three-year term