hospital
6 March 2007
The Department of Health is working with the South African Police Services
(SAPS) in an investigation into allegations that a patient was raped at
Northdale Hospital on Sunday.
The department's investigation is still at embryonic stage and it runs
parallel with the SAPS's criminal investigation. It is still early days to
point fingers, but the department will not hesitate to act accordingly if it
finds that there was negligence involved.
The department would appeal to interested parties to the alleged incident to
await the completion of the investigation so that they would know what could
have happened. So far, the hospital has reported that the matter was promptly
reported to the SAPS on Sunday, 6 March 2007 afternoon when a Ward C patient
reported that he had been sexually assaulted by another patient while at the
toilet. Both the complainant and the suspects had been admitted in the same
ward (for male patients).
The report says a full-scale manhunt by the Northdale security guards proved
fruitless, as the suspect had disappeared into thin air after the alleged
incident. It is not clear as yet how the suspect escaped from the hospital.
It is reported that police were informed of the alleged incident at about
14h00. The Mountain Rise police officials arrived at the institution at 16h15,
and interviewed the victim. It was also reported to the police that the
perpetrator had absconded.
According to the Mental Health Care Act 17 of 2002, all mentally ill
patients need to be admitted to a District hospital for a 72-hour observation,
prior to transfer to a psychiatric institution.
Six of the 11 staff members who were on duty at the ward were on lunch
between 12h00 and 13h00 and the balance were on duty around which time the
alleged rape could have occurred. Two staff members were serving lunch, while
two were feeding patients that are not able to feed themselves. And one nurse
was performing ward duties.
The victim has been examined by a medical officer and is receiving
psycho-social support. The District Surgeon conducted a forensic examination,
and post prophylaxis has commenced. The victim is still at the hospital and the
investigation into the matter is underway.
Enquiries:
Sibonelo Msomi
Tel: (033) 395 2551
Leon Mbangwa
Cell: 083 459 8695
Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
6 March 2007
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kwazulunatal.gov.za)
