"Nurses devote their entire careers to saving the lives of others. Hopefully, the threat of harsher penalties will serve as a deterrent for those who seek to cause them harm," said Gauteng department of Health’s head of Communications, Prince Hamnca.
Hamnca’s comment follows the news of a kidnapping of Ms Nonzwakazi Luthuli from Protea Glen, Soweto, who is a nurse at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. It is alleged that Ms Luthuli was kidnapped while on her way to work.
"Health care workers are faced with the threat of violence on the job far too often, the arrest and harsher sentencing of those who continues to victimise our health workers will send a clear message to them and it will make them to think twice before committing these barbaric acts” said Hamnca.
The Department came to know of her kidnapping when the matter made news headlines. No so long ago, another health worker was attacked and raped by an assailant while at work at Helen Joseph Hospital. The Department is on record denouncing these acts and assuring the public and staff that it would improve security measures.
“We send our prayers to the family and hope the police will soon rescue Miss Luthuli. However; we cannot ignore the fact that increasing security spend is not a long-term solution. We need to join hands with communities to ensure that these men and women are protected from criminals. Theirs is a calling to heal, care for and sooth the frail as well as support their families”, concludes Hamnca.
For more information:
Prince Hamnca
Head of Communications
Cell: 076 744 8126
