At about 4h30 on Saturday, 23 March 2013, the Department of Health in the Free State was shocked to learn of an alleged rape incident, allegedly by a Staff Nurse who was administering medicine to an unsuspecting patient at Elizabeth Ross Hospital, in Phuthaditjhaba, Qwaqwa.
It is alleged that a patient who came to the hospital with abdominal pains was allegedly raped by the Staff Nurse after being seen by a Doctor. The patient reported the incident to the authorities of the Elizabeth Hospital who immediately assisted her to open a case of rape through the Namahadi Police Station whose Police Officers swiftly effected immediate arrest of the alleged perpetrator whilst the investigation was being instituted.
This alleged incident is reported whilst the province has taken a stance of dealing harshly against the scourge of escalating brutalisation of women, children and the elderly. On the 21 March 2013, the Premier Ace Magashule had held successful marches throughout the province in a bid to raise awareness and mobilise communities to say “Enough is Enough” and to wage a sustained campaign against rape and abuse of women children and the elderly.
The newly appointed MEC: Health, Dr. Benny Malakoane reacted with great shock from these horrific news and instituted disciplinary processes against the alleged perpetrator. This means that the official has been suspended and charges of rape, misconduct and other related charges including bringing the name of the department and the Profession into disrepute have been preferred against him.
The alleged perpetrator, whose name is withheld until he is formally charged by the Police, is remanded in custody whilst a full investigation is being conducted by the Police. “Incidents of this nature are damaging the integrity of the Nursing Profession in particular and the Health Care Profession in general including the safety of patients in our public institutions.
We must ensure that no stone is left unturned in ensuring that a successful conviction is secured against the perpetrator of this horrific act,” said Dr. Malakoane. In the meantime, Counselling Services were provided to the patient to ensure that their healing is not diverted by the unfortunate rape attack that was meted against her by the alleged perpetrator.
The management of the Hospital through the CEO, Ms Bongi Mthimkhulu and supported by the Provincial Executive Management is facilitating the provision of Counselling Services for the personnel of Elizabeth Ross Hospital. This will surely help in boosting staff morale and increase levels of competence in provision of health services to the people.
The Premier of the Free State, Mr Magashule was disgusted by this barbaric act. He said, “Anybody who is found to be perpetrating any form of violation of the human dignity of another person must be sent to jail for a very long time just as we have seen in the other case where a person received more than 5 life sentences. The message must be clear and unambiguous that we have no place for such inhumane acts in our public facilities and the Free State as a whole,” he said.
