a mentally ill patient at Townhill Hospital
10 December 2007
The Department of Health has effectively suspended the nurse who allegedly
raped a patient while she was a patient at Townhill Hospital and subsequently
beat her when she confronted him about her pregnancy.
This action followed reports from the media about a patient who was admitted
at Townhill Hospital around April 2007 and who alleges that she was raped a day
before she was to be discharged. When the matter was brought to the attention
of the Department, the allegations were investigated and it was discovered that
the case was reported to the Human Resources Manager (around August) who did
not take any action against the alleged perpetrator. This has resulted in the
department suspending the Human Resources Manager as well for his contribution
in the cover-up of this callous act.
The two officers are suspended pending the conclusion of disciplinary cases
against them. The victim is currently receiving counselling through a
Departmental Psychologist. The department is confident that the police will
pursue criminal charges against the alleged perpetrator and he shall be given a
sentence befitting his cold-blooded actions.
The department wishes to assure the public that such cruel acts against the
vulnerable will not be tolerated. The MEC is on record advocating for the
protection of the rights of mentally ill patients and for their dignity to be
respected at all times. Any staff member who is found to be abusing people left
under our care will face the might of the law. We encourage users of our
facilities to report such acts immediately so that the perpetrators can get
what they deserve without delay.
Contact:
LA Mbangwa
Spokesperson for the Department of Health
Cell: 083 459 8695
Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
10 December 2007
