KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu has demanded answers from Nkonjeni Hospital's management in Mahlabathini and a contracted security company after a nurse was raped in the hospital's consulting rooms on Sunday. News24 reports that it is alleged that an unknown suspect walked onto the hospital's premises at around 17:00 pretending to seek medical assistance. He then proceeded to the internal clinic's consulting room and overpowered the nurse, before raping her, Simelane-Zulu said.
By the time the police had arrived, the suspect had already fled.
Now, Simelane-Zulu is demanding answers as to how the suspect had made his way into the hospital and how he managed to flee without being detected. She added that security management at the hospital was now a concern. Simelane-Zulu has requested a report from the hospital, security management and district detailing how the incident could occur under their watch.
Police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele said a case of rape is being investigated, with the suspect still at large.
“I am extremely outraged and completely shocked and concerned that a nurse, who left her home to provide care and hope to the sick, could end up being sexually violated in the workplace in such a horrendous way,” Simelane-Zulu is quoted in The Times as saying.
“The act itself is grossly disgraceful and inhumane. It is also completely unacceptable and extremely concerning that the alleged perpetrator was able to get away without being apprehended. It raises serious questions about security arrangements at this hospital. If we are going to be paying for security and this happens, it means we are not paying for a service. I have now demanded a full report from management of the district concerned, as well as from our security unit at head office, on how such a thing happened.”
[link url="https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/kzn-health-mec-demands-answers-after-nurse-raped-in-hospitals-consulting-rooms-20191104"]News24 report[/link]
[link url="https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-11-04-mec-outraged-after-kzn-nurse-raped-in-hospital-consulting-room/"]The Times report[/link]