Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has called for a health ombudsman probe into allegations that Gqeberha nurses refused to help an injured rape victim until she went to a police station where she eventually died.
News24 reports that 15-year-old Zenizole Vena, a grade nine pupil, allegedly escaped from a four-day hostage and rape ordeal and walked to the NU 11 clinic in Motherwell to get help. She then had to walk to the Motherwell police station.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the teen died after experiencing epileptic seizures while waiting for an ambulance inside the police station. Police are investigating and have also opened a rape case. They are waiting for the results of the post-mortem examination.
Her uncle, Dumisani Vena, said they were planning to sue the Department of Health for negligence. “We will get legal advice. Had they cared for my niece, she would still be alive,” he added.
The Eastern Cape Health Department said in a statement that it would deal with any shortcomings identified during their investigation and appropriate action would be taken. It added that a preliminary report from the clinic indicated that the teen had been attended to there and was found to be clinically stable. While Mabuyane noted that some healthcare was provided to the teenager, he called for the health ombudsman to investigate this matter and make recommendations for any “corrective action that may be necessary going forward”.
News24 article – Mabuyane demands probe after rape complainant dies while seeking help (Open access)
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