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Sunday, 16 February, 2025
HomeNews UpdateNight shift nurses raped at Limpopo clinic

Night shift nurses raped at Limpopo clinic

Limpopo police have launched a massive manhunt after two nurses, on night duty at a local clinic, were abducted at gunpoint and then raped by a lone, heavily armed gunman.

The intruder had entered the Chuene Clinic just after midnight on Friday where he had managed to overpower and then tie up three security guards. IOL reports that the ordeal lasted until around 5am.

Limpopo Health MEC Dieketseng Mashego, who said she was appalled by the horrific incident and expressed shock and disgust “at the barbaric actions”, said it was a major setback for efforts to have clinics functioning for 24 hours a day.

“My heart goes out to the two nurses who have suffered immense physical and psychological trauma. How can we convince our staff to work night shifts to serve the community if the same community turns against them in such a violent manner?”

She appealed to locals to help authorities with information, and said psychological support has been arranged for the victims.

Crime spree

In the Eastern Cape, the Health Department has increased the visibility of security guards and the use of metal detectors after three facilities were targeted by robbers in the space of just 48 hours.

News24 reports that in one instance, four security guards were terrorised by four armed men at Lilitha Nursing College in East London and the campus bakkie stolen. Earlier, a man had barged into St Elizabeth Hospital in Lusikisiki and held an emergency medical services' staff member at knifepoint, before robbing him of his cellphone.

Two laptops were also stolen at the department’s legal offices in Bhisho on Tuesday.

Department spokesperson Mkhululi Ndamase said they had beefed up the presence of security guards and strengthened metal detector usage at hospital gates.

A community leader in Lusikisiki, David King, said: “We are very disturbed by this crime. Hospital staff and patients are not safe, and measures must be put in place to ensure their safety.”

 

IOL article – Two nurses abducted and raped at Limpopo clinic after gunman overpowers three security guards (Open access)

 

News24 article – Robbers target three Eastern Cape health facilities in 48 hours (Restricted access)

 

See more from MedicalBrief archives:

 

Nurses union threatens legal action over security concerns

 

Union highlights ‘dismal’ security at Eastern Cape hospitals

 

Spate of attacks reveal training failure of hospital security guards

 

Attacks on doctors highlight security dangers in state hospitals

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